N. Korea ‘ flatly rejects’ UN vow to tighten sanctions

North Korea on Tuesday “flatly rejected” a UN statement vowing to punish its latest banned missile test with tighter sanctions.

In a unanimous statement, the UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned Sunday’s test- firing of the medium- range Pukguksong- 2, instructing the UN sanctions committee to redouble efforts to implement a series of tough measures adopted last year.

A spokesperson for Pyongyang’s foreign ministry blamed what it called “the US and its followers” for the declaration, the official Korean Central News Agency reported, saying they were “obsessed by inveterate repugnancy and hostility.”

“It is absolutely ridiculous to see them finding fault with the DPRK’s every measure for self- defense,” the spokesperson added, using the acronym for the North’s official name. “We flatly reject the press statement.”

According to Seoul’s military, South Korea fired warning shots Tuesday at a flying object that entered the country’s airspace from North Korea.

The object had not been identified and its radar course was being investigated, the military said in a statement.

One official told AFP it appeared to be a drone.

The official gave no details, but previous drones flown across the border have been similar in size to hobby craft.

The military did not indicate whether the object had been shot down, or had gone back.

“The military is keeping tight surveillance over the North and maintaining high vigilance,” the statement said.

Pyongyang has carried out two atomic tests and dozens of missile launches since the beginning of last year in its quest to develop a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental US.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has said military action was an option under consideration, sending fears of conflict spiraling.