The new US sanctions have also targeted Chinese companies and an individual, who have been blamed for helping Kim and his men.

US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement, "These designations include companies that have engaged in trade with North Korea cumulatively worth hundreds of millions of dollars."

"We are also sanctioning the shipping and transportation companies, and their vessels, that facilitate North Korea’s trade and its deceptive maneuvers," the statement read.

At least three Chinese companies and one individual have been sanctioned.

Those sanctioned will not be able to do business with America or hold assets in the US.

US has alleged Dandong Kehua Economy & Trade Co. Ltd, Dandong Xianghe Trading Co. Ltd and Dandong Hongda Trade Co. Ltd of exporting goods worth $650 million to North Korea and import goods worth $100 million from North Korea since 2013.

Chinese citizen Sun Sidong and his company, Dandong Dongyuan Industrial Co, too have been sanctioned.

Both Sun and his company have been accused of exporting $28 million worth of goods to Pyongyang.

The sanctions has not sat well with Beijing.

Speaking about the latest US move, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said, "China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions out of the UN Security Council framework, especially the imposition of the so-called ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ by other countries in accordance with their domestic laws."

US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said that things are going to get a lot uglier until and unless North Korean leader Kim Jong-un engages in a diplomatic talk with America.

"This is only going to get worse until you’re ready to come and talk,” Tillerson said.

Both North Korea and the US have engaged in name calling in recent times, exacerbating an already delicate Washington-Pyongyang relations.

While the US has pressurised the UN to put stricter sanctions on North Korea, to dry its cash flow and stop its nuclear programme, the North has blamed Trump and his administration of hampering peace in the Korean Peninsula.