"This massive construction workshop is a serious response to the hostile forces that are trying to strangle our people through sanctions and sanctions," North Korean media quoted Kim as saying during a visit to the construction site of, Fonsan Kalma, tourist complex on the east coast of the country.

The US Treasury Department announced yesterday the imposition of sanctions on Russian and Chinese companies for violating the economic embargo imposed on the DPRK.

Washington continues its sanction policies against Pyongyang despite US President Donald Trump's promises to lift them after meeting with his DPRK counterpart in June.