UN backs tough new N Korea sanctions

The UN Security Council has unanimously approved fresh sanctions against North Korea in response to Pyongyang's nuclear test last month.

The resolution is targeting North Korean diplomats, cash transfers and access to luxury goods.

It imposes asset freezes and travel bans on three individuals and two firms linked to North Korea's military.

Pyongyang earlier vowed to use its right to a pre-emptive nuclear attack against its aggressors.US warning

In a 15-0 vote, the council on Thursday backed Resolution 2094, imposing the new sanctions against the North.

Speaking after the vote, the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said the document "strongly condemns" Pyongyang's actions.

She said the sanctions would "further constrain" North Korea's ability to develop its nuclear programme.
Concerns is growing that North Korea has moved closer to making a deliverable nuclear device

And Ms Rice warned that the UN would "take further significant actions" if Pyongyang were to carry out another nuclear test.

"North Korea will achieve nothing by continuing threats and provocations," she stressed, urging the North to comply with the demands of the international community.

China's UN ambassador, Li Baodong, said that "the top priority now is to defuse the tensions" on the Korean peninsula.

Mr Li also said that the six-party talks on the North's controversial programme must resume.

Before the UN vote, the North accused the US of pushing to start a war.

"As long as the United States is willing to spark nuclear war, our forces will exercise their right to a pre-emptive nuclear strike," said North Korea's foreign ministry, in a statement carried by the KCNA news agency, without giving further details.

Earlier this week, Pyongyang also also threatened to scrap the 60-year truce which ended the 1950-53 Korean War.