North Korea faces new UN sanctions

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution tightening sanctions against North Korea, while Pyongyang responded by saying it might attempt a third nuclear test.  

The measure passed 15-0 and condemned its unauthorized December rocket launch. The vote ends "a month-long disagreement mainly between the United States and China," explained VOA.

Reuters reported the resolution said the UNSC "deplores the violations" by Pyongyang, which is banned from conducting missile and nuclear tests.

According to NPR, the resolution also "adds North Korean companies, individuals and the country's space agency to a sanctions list."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei had hinted on Monday that Beijing would engage "constructively" in the UN meetings.

"We feel regret that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [North Korea] went ahead with the launch amid widespread concerns by the international community," said Lei, according to state-run China Daily.

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry responded via a statement on state news agency KCNA.

"We will take measures to boost and strengthen our defensive military power including nuclear deterrence," the ministry said.

North Korea said that it would take “physical counteraction” to reinforce its “nuclear deterrence both qualitatively and quantitatively,” The New York Times reported.

"There can be talks for peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the region in the future, but no talks for the denuclearization of the peninsula,” North Korea announced.