North Korea Calls New Sanctions an 'Act of War'

UN Security Council will 'pay heavy price'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 24, 2017 8:21 AM CST
North Korea Calls New Sanctions an 'Act of War'
Military personnel gather at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea.   (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

North Korea now considers itself at war with all 15 members of the United Nations Security Council, according to a blistering statement issued after the council unanimously approved tough new sanctions. The country's foreign minister described the latest round of sanctions as an "act of war" that was " rigged up by the US and its followers," CNN reports. "Those countries that raised their hands in favor of this 'sanctions resolution' shall be held completely responsible for all the consequences to be caused by the 'resolution' and we will make sure for ever and ever that they pay a heavy price for what they have done," the statement said.

UN Resolution 2397, issued in response to Pyongyang's ballistic missile tests, slashes North Korea's fuel imports by around 90% and requires the return home of all North Koreans working overseas within 24 months. North Korea's statement said the sanctions were introduced because the US is frightened of its power. The US is "completely terrified at our accomplishment of the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, is getting more and more frenzied in the moves to impose the harshest-ever sanctions and pressure on our country," it said, per the BBC. "We will further consolidate our self-defensive nuclear deterrence aimed at fundamentally eradicating the US nuclear threats, blackmail, and hostile moves by establishing the practical balance of force with the US." (More North Korea stories.)

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