South Korea today unveiled independent sanctions on Iran for its controversial nuclear programme. Seoul had black listed 102 entities and 24 individuals believed to be involved in Tehran's nuclear activities suspected to be a cover for developing nuclear weapons. It has decided impose a severe penalty on the Seoul branch of Bank Mellat. Fifteen Iranian banks, including Bank Mellat, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines have been blacklisted. CISCO Shipping Company and Iran Petrochemical Commercial Company are among other Iranian entities that made their names in Seoul's bad books. Under Seoul's sanctions,all financial institutions there will have to report to the South Korean authorities or gain prior permission if they are to engage in financial transactions worth more than 10,000 Euros with Iran. The independent sanctions came after the United States ramped up its efforts to push Seoul to join its campaign to foil Iran's alleged nuclear ambition.