Barack Obama has issued an executive order imposing tough new sanctions on North Korea in the wake of the country's recent nuclear and missile tests.

The US president's actions come in the wake of North Korea's nuclear test in January and a rocket launch that used ballistic missile technology on February 7, the White House said.

Spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement."The US and the global community will not tolerate North Korea's illicit nuclear and ballistic missile activities, and we will continue to impose costs on North Korea until it comes into compliance with its international obligations."