North Korea warns US of 'greatest pain' over sanctions

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL

North Korea threatened Monday to inflict the "greatest pain" on the United States -- ahead of a UN Security Council (UNSC) vote on punishing Pyongyang for its latest nuclear test.

The North's sixth ever nuke experiment on Sept. 3, was its most powerful to date, as Pyongyang claimed it involved a hydrogen bomb that can fit on one of its newly developed intercontinental ballistic missiles.

A series of UNSC resolutions have failed to curtail the reclusive state's rapid nuclear advancement, but the U.S. and its allies are now reportedly pushing to target North Korea's oil supply for a more effective strategy -- even if it still requires the backing of China and Russia, both of whom have expressed reservations.

According to state media Sunday, the North's leader Kim Jong-un has implied his people have already had to bear the brunt of sanctions, praising them for ensuring a successful nuclear test this month "at the cost of their blood."

Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry followed up Monday with a statement carried by state-run KCNA news agency, warning that North Korea will respond to more punitive measures by causing the U.S. "the greatest pain and suffering it had ever gone through in its entire history."