North Korea describes new sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council as a "war action"

North Korea on Sunday branded new sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on Friday over its ballistic and nuclear programs as a "war action" against it. "We regard the recent sanctions of the United Nations as a flagrant attack on the sovereignty of our Republic and a military act that destroys peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the region," Pyongyang said in a statement.

North Korea said on Sunday it considered the new sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council because of its ballistic and nuclear programs a "military act" against it.

"We fully reject the recent UN sanctions," the ministry said in a statement published by the official news agency. "We consider it a flagrant attack on the sovereignty of our republic and a military act that would destroy peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the region."

The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted 15 new sanctions against North Korea aimed at reducing its vital oil imports of its nuclear and missile programs.

More: Seventy years of escalation and tension between Washington and Pyongyang

The sanctions also impose a 75 percent ban on oil derivatives to North Korea, set a ceiling on crude supplies, and deport all North Koreans working abroad by the end of 2019 as a key source of revenue for Kim Jong-un's regime.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nicky Hailey described North Korea as "the greatest example of evil in the modern world," saying the new sanctions were "a reflection of international outrage at the actions of Kim Jong-un. The resolution "sends a clear message to Pyongyang that further challenge will lead to further sanctions and isolation," it said.