North Korea is ready to give the United States a “severe lesson” with its strategic nuclear force if it takes military action against it, and will not put its nuclear programme or its missiles on the negotiating table.

In a transcript of a statement by Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, which was distributed to media in Manila, Pyongyang called new the UN sanctions “fabricated” and warned there would be “strong follow-up measures” and acts of justice.

The ministry said the resolution showed the UN had abused its authority.

The ministry also said its intercontinental ballistic missile tests in July proved that the entire United States was in its firing range, and those missiles were a legitimate means of self-defense.

It was not immediately clear whether the statement was read to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)  Forum on Monday.

NAN reports that earlier, North Korea said it will not discuss denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula as long as the nuclear threat and hostility on the part of the U.S. remain.

According to a statement of the country’s government published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA): “as long as the nuclear threat and intrigues against the republic persist, no matter who says what, we will not discuss defensive forces of nuclear deterrence.

“We will not turn off the already chosen path of strengthening the nuclear power of the state,” the statement said.

On Saturday, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2371, which further tightens sanctions imposed on North Korea.

The restrictions put a ban on coal, iron, iron ore, lead and seafood imports from the Asian nation to UN member states.

Council also prohibited UN members from setting up joint ventures with North Korean entities or individuals,  or increasing the number of North Korean workers engaged in projects within any member state. (Reuters/NAN)