WASHINGTON - The US on Wednesday sanctioned five North Koreans allegedly involved in Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs after the North repeatedly tested apparent hypersonic missiles. The North has carried out roughly six ballistic missile launches since September in violation of UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting it from testing the technology. The North Korean nationals blacklisted by the US include Russia-based Choe Myong Hyon, who is alleged to have aided Pyongyang's Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS), which was sanctioned in 2010 and again in 2013 over US determinations that it supports the North's proliferation activities and development programs. Choe is alleged to have worked in Russia to procure telecommunications equipment for a SANS subordinate firm. Four other China-based North Koreans were placed under sanctions for allegedly working for other SANS firms, including Sim Kwang Sok, Kim Song Hun, Kang Chol Hak, a