N. Korea issues direct criticism of China amid nuclear dispute

WASHINGTON — Determined to exert greater economic pressure on North Korea, the Republican-led House on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to impose new sanctions on Pyongyang targeting its shipping industry and use of slave labor.

Lawmakers approved the measure on a 419-1 vote as tensions continued to mount over North Korea’s advancing nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The Senate must take up the measure next.

The bipartisan legislation is aimed at thwarting North Korea’s ambitions by cutting off access to the cash the regime needs to follow through with its plans.

The bill bars ships owned by North Korea or by countries that refuse to comply with U.N. resolutions against it from operating in American waters or docking at U.S. ports. Goods produced by North Korea’s forced labor would be prohibited from entering the United States, according to the legislation.

Royce said companies from Senegal to Qatar to Angola import North Korean workerswho send their salary back to Pyongyang, earning the regime billions of dollars in hard currency each year

Meanwhile, North Korea issued a rare direct criticism of China through a commentary through its state-run news agency saying Beijing’s “reckless remarks” on the North’s nuclear program are testing its patience and could trigger unspecified “grave” consequences.

China, North Korea’s largest trading partner and main benefactor, has recently been urging its traditional ally to stop nuclear and missile activities amid U.S. pressure.