US Senate passes sanctions on N. Korea, Russia, Iran

The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed sanctions aimed at deterring North Korea's missile and nuclear development, as part of a package that also targets Russia and Iran.

The bill passed the Senate 98-2, despite objections from President Donald Trump. Two days earlier, the legislation passed the House with overwhelming support of 419-3.

It will now be sent to Trump to sign into law or veto.

The part on North Korea authorizes sanctions on those providing the country with crude oil and other related products.

It prohibits "any ships owned by the government of North Korea or owned or operated on behalf of any country not complying with U.N. Security Council resolutions from operating in United States waters or landing at any U.S. port."

It also bans "goods produced in whole or part by North Korean forced labor from entering the United States and sanctions foreign persons that employ North Koreans who are forced to labor in inhumane conditions and are denied access to wages and benefits."

The measures, which passed the House in a standalone bill in May, were added to the Russia and Iran package before the House vote Tuesday.

The legislation also prevents Trump from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Russia and adds fresh ones for its alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Trump objected to the bill as he insists he received no help from Moscow to win the presidential race and underscores the importance of bilateral cooperation on issues, such as counterterrorism and the war in Syria.

The legislation also calls for sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities with ties to the country's ballistic missile programs. (Yonhap)