Seoul's Foreign Ministry has made it clear that,... if necessary,... penalities will be imposed on those responsible for importing North Korean coal into South Korea last year,... in what would be a clear violation of international sanctions on Pyongyang.<br /> The ministry says,... to prevent further loop holes,... the government will closely cooperate with the international community.<br />Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has announced it would veto any reduction of the UN Security Council's imposed ban on North Korea's exports.<br />It added... the U.S. will take action against those that facilitate North Korea's flouting of international sanctions. <br />