North Korea on Wednesday vowed to continue with its controversial nuclear weapons programs despite a new round of United Nations sanctions imposed on it, promising that it would redouble its efforts to deal with what it believes was an imminent United States military strike. The U.N placed the sanctions on Pyongyang after the country's sixth and largest nuclear weapons test. United States President Donald trump described sanctions imposed on Monday as just a small step towards the ultimate goal of thwarting North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea remains unbowed under US pressure
According to the state's official news station the KNCA, President Kim Jong-un's authority said that the country would go forward with plans to increase its military strength and maintain its sovereignty. According to Reuters, North Korea said that it would strive to counterbalance the threat posed by its rival the United States, to keep the peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. The reclusive state's statement was a follow-up of comments made on Tuesday by Mr. Hae Tsong, North Korea's top diplomat to the UN, who threatened that his country was willing and ready to take active measures against its enemies. Reuters quoted the North's ambassador saying that the promised measures would be the most stern the US has ever faced.
The US wants to invade Pyongyang
According to Reuters, North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper also accused its neighbor South Korea of being the United State's "lap dog." The newspaper launched a scathing attack on Seoul and Washington's decision to make changes to an existing bilateral agreement that will now make it possible for the US ally to use unlimited warhead payloads on its missiles.
In the new round of sanctions unanimously backed by the 15-member Security Council, North Korea will no longer be allowed to export its textile products. According to Premium Times, the sanctions also placed restricted the amount of fuel supplied to Pyongyang, while also prohibiting foreign companies from engaging in commercial deals with business entities in the state.
The UN imposed the sanctions in response to the North's test of what it described as a Hydrogen bomb capable of hitting the American mainland. The United States has over 20,000 troops based in South Korea, and the North has repeatedly claimed that the Americans plan to use this force to invade it. Kim Jong-un's government has in the past tested missiles capable of hitting the United States.
