North Korea warns that if new sanctions are approved, 'America will pay the price'

North Korea has stated that if new sanctions are approved against it in the United Nations Security Council, Pyongyang will take immediate actions and that 'the severest suffering' will befall the United States. Following North Korea's sixth nuclear test, Washington is seeking to impose new sanctions against North Korea in the UN Security Council. Diplomats at the UN have said that the proposed US sanctions are the most severe measures considered against North Korea. In response to the reports, on Monday morning, September 20, the North Korean Foreign Ministry stated that the country will take actions to make America 'pay the price.' The official North Korean news agency published a statement from this ministry saying, 'The immediate actions that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will take will inflict the severest suffering and pain on America in the entire history of that country.' The North Korean Foreign Ministry described the proposed US resolution as 'illegal' and added that it will demonstrate 'a series of responses' that will be 'more severe than ever' if approved. The official North Korean news agency claimed that the country has 'developed a very powerful hydrogen bomb to enhance its ability to respond to any hostile actions and nuclear threats from the US and to prevent the occurrence of a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.' This refers to North Korea's recent nuclear test, which estimates suggest was stronger than all five previous tests. However, aside from Pyongyang's statements, no independent source has confirmed whether it pertains to a hydrogen bomb or not. Reports indicate that the United States intends to impose new sanctions, including oil sanctions, to prevent the export of textiles and the hiring of North Korean workers abroad, block assets related to Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, and prevent his foreign travels. US officials say the aim of these severe sanctions is to compel Pyongyang to negotiate an end to its nuclear and missile tests. The UN Security Council has prohibited such tests, but Pyongyang has continued its activities despite various resolutions. The final and definitive stance of Russia and China on the proposed resolution remains unclear. Nevertheless, the Russian President recently stated that 'increasing sanctions against North Korea will yield negative results.' Russia and China, alongside the US, the UK, and France, have veto power over Security Council resolutions. On Sunday, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, in an interview with the French newspaper 'Le Journal du Dimanche,' stated that recent events, missile and nuclear tests in North Korea, severe verbal tensions, and the ensuing crisis represent 'the most serious' crisis the world has faced in many years.