N Korea warns US of retaliatory moves
Pyongyang has warned of taking "necessary retaliatory measures" following a decision by the US to call off plans to ship thousands of tons of food products to North Korea, citing its recent failed satellite rocket launch.
In a statement late Tuesday, North Korean foreign ministry said that it is no longer bound by a bilateral agreement agreed with the US in February to halt testing of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles in return for food.
"We have thus become able to take necessary retaliatory measures, free from the agreement. The US will be held wholly accountable for all the ensuing consequences," the statement said.
The statement came after the UN Security Council condemned the failed rocket launch by North Korea and ordered a tightening of existing sanctions.
However, Pyongyang rejected the condemnation, saying "nothing can stand in the way of (North Korea)'s space development for peaceful purposes."
Pyongyang had said the rocket launch was aimed at putting a satellite into orbit for peaceful research objectives, marking the centenary of the birth of its founding leader Kim Il-Sung.
However, Western critics claim that the launch is a "thinly-veiled ballistic missile test," banned by United Nations resolutions.
Pyongyang has warned of taking "necessary retaliatory measures" following a decision by the US to call off plans to ship thousands of tons of food products to North Korea, citing its recent failed satellite rocket launch.
In a statement late Tuesday, North Korean foreign ministry said that it is no longer bound by a bilateral agreement agreed with the US in February to halt testing of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles in return for food.
"We have thus become able to take necessary retaliatory measures, free from the agreement. The US will be held wholly accountable for all the ensuing consequences," the statement said.
The statement came after the UN Security Council condemned the failed rocket launch by North Korea and ordered a tightening of existing sanctions.
However, Pyongyang rejected the condemnation, saying "nothing can stand in the way of (North Korea)'s space development for peaceful purposes."
Pyongyang had said the rocket launch was aimed at putting a satellite into orbit for peaceful research objectives, marking the centenary of the birth of its founding leader Kim Il-Sung.
However, Western critics claim that the launch is a "thinly-veiled ballistic missile test," banned by United Nations resolutions.