South Korea has begun considering its own sanctions against North Korea, along with ways to effectively and faithfully implement international sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Friday.

The discussion on the country's own ways to punish the communist state for its recent provocations came in the weekly meeting of the National Security Council.

"The standing members of the NSC discussed unilateral sanctions our government can take based on the country's discussions with other countries," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in (R) presides over a National Security Council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on May 14, 2017. (Yonhap)
South Korean President Moon Jae-in (R) presides over a National Security Council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on May 14, 2017. (Yonhap)

President Moon Jae-in has consistently stressed the need to put maximum pressure on Pyongyang, so the reclusive regime has no choice but to come to the dialogue table and discuss giving up its nuclear ambitions peacefully.

Pyongyang has staged 10 missile tests since the Moon Jae-in administration took office in May. Its latest provocations included its sixth and most powerful nuclear test so far, staged Sept. 3.

The latest NSC meeting also discussed ways to prevent South Korean ships from entering North Korean waters, Cheong Wa Dae said.

The move came after a South Korean fishing boat, the 391 Hungjin, was returned to the country, reportedly after entering North Korean waters at will and being seized by North Korean troops.

The incident raised alarms here as the local maritime police remained unaware of the seizure until the North announced its plan to return the ship. (Yonhap)