North Korea is continuously trying to purchase luxury wristwatches and the newest medical equipment from Switzerland despite the latest United Nations sanctions on the communist country's unwavering pursuit of its nuclear and missile programs, a U.S.-based news media reported on Friday. 

In early March, the U.N. Security Council adopted its toughest-ever sanctions, Resolution 2270, to punish the North's nuclear and missile tests in January and February, respectively.

In response to the U.N.'s punitive action, the Swiss federal government decided last Wednesday to put 25 of its luxury items on the embargo list for the North. The items include caviar, wine, cigars, luxury wristwatches, ski and golf equipment and home appliances.

 According to Free Asia Radio, citing diplomatic sources, the United Front Department and No. 39 Office of the North's ruling Workers' Party continuously attempt to purchase Swiss watches like Omega and Tissot via their bogus trading firms.

The North is also trying to introduce high-priced medical equipment and medicines presumed to be used for the Pongwha Hospital in Pyongyang, an exclusive clinic for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, his family members and the ruling elite.

Kim is known to give the luxury items to his family members and senior officials to keep them loyal by making use of secret overseas funds estimated at between $1-4 billion. (Yonhap)