Pyongyang will take measures to retaliate against new UN Security Council sanctions to plunge the US into the “most difficult situation” in its history, North Korea ambassador to Russia, Kim Hyun Joong, said on Tuesday.
“Since the US has thrown a comprehensive challenge to our country in all areas, including political, economic and military, we are ready to respond resolutely to this, and this is the firm and unshakable will of our army and our people,” Xinhua cited Interfax news agency quoted Joong as saying.
On Monday, the Security Council unanimously voted for a resolution toughening sanctions against North Korea, cutting its oil supply by almost 30 per cent, banning all its textile exports worth $800 million and remittances of North Korea labourers from abroad.
The ambassador said that Pyongyang rejected and condemned the “illegal” resolutions of the UN Security Council, which he says has been turned into a “tool” by Washington with the aim to “isolate and strangle” North Korea.
He said North Korea “was ready to solve this problem with countermeasures,” without offering any specifics.
Meanwhile, the ambassador said that North Korea would not stop its nuclear programme in spite of the sanctions.
