N Korea Warns About Retaliatory Measures if UNSC Imposes New Sanctions

TOKYO (Sputnik) — Pyongyang intends to take retaliatory steps against a proposed UN Security Council resolution that would imply new sanctions against North Korea, the country's Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement on Friday.

"If the UN Security Council adopts another sanction resolution, we will take subsequent steps and respond with fair measures," the statement said, as quoted by the state-owned Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

According to the statement, North Korea also urged the United States to think of Pyongyang's strategic position, instead of exerting pressure and introducing sanctions against the country.

On Monday, the Associated Press news agency reported, citing two UN diplomats, that the United States distributed a draft resolution among the permanent members of the UN Security Council — Russia, China, Britain and France — on the new sanctions against Pyongyang in connection with the alleged test launch of the intercontinental missile.

On July 4, Pyongyang announced the successful launch of its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-14, which traveled 933 kilometers (580 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan. Two days after, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that the United States was prepared to use the full range of capabilities, including military options, to defend the country and its allies against North Korea.