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North Korea vows 'resolute countermeasures' in wake of sanctions

"The world will soon witness more actions," Pyongyang said in statement.

By Elizabeth Shim
A spokesman for Pyongyang’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said a North Korean response is necessary as "the United States and other powers are explicitly taking the path toward trampling our sovereignty and survival." Screenshot: Korean Central Television
A spokesman for Pyongyang’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said a North Korean response is necessary as "the United States and other powers are explicitly taking the path toward trampling our sovereignty and survival." Screenshot: Korean Central Television

SEOUL, March 4 (UPI) -- North Korea vowed to take "resolute countermeasures" against the United Nations Security Council sanctions resolution that was adopted unanimously on Wednesday.

A spokesman for Pyongyang's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said a North Korean response is necessary as "the United States and other powers are explicitly taking the path toward trampling our sovereignty and survival."

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"Our resolute countermeasures are soon to follow," North Korea said in statement.

The televised announcement comes hours after North Korean state media reported Kim Jong Un had ordered his military to be ready to use nuclear weapons at a moment's notice.

According to Pyongyang's state-controlled newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Kim said, "For the sake of national defense, nuclear warheads should be prepared to launch at any time."

A North Korean Foreign Ministry statement also reaffirmed the regime's policy of "Byungjin," pursuing the parallel development of the economy and Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program and that the world will soon witness more "actions," Yonhap reported.

In his earlier statement, Kim had blamed the United States for "throwing its weight around on other countries, pressuring them into war and disasters."

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On television, North Korea said in statement blame also goes to South Korea, and countermeasures to Seoul's passage of a North Korea Human Rights Act and an anti-terrorism bill would be taken.

The statements were the first North Korean responses to the passage of powerful and comprehensive sanctions at the Security Council that aim to choke off Pyongyang's financial lifelines to the outside world.

North Korea has also stepped up airing footage of firing weapons, and media has stated Kim attended the test firing of artillery this week.

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