North Korea “vehemently denounced” a UN Security Council resolution that further tightened sanctions against the regime, in defiance of international demands to end its nuclear arms program.

“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as it did in the past, vehemently denounces and totally rejects the ‘resolution on sanctions’ against the DPRK, a product of the US hostile policy toward it,” the North’s foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement on Saturday.

The belligerent response signifies Pyongyang’s pursuit of becoming a full-fledged nuclear-armed nation, according to Reuters.

“The world will clearly see what permanent position the DPRK will reinforce as a nuclear weapons state and satellite launcher as a result of the US attitude of prodding the UNSC into cooking up the ‘resolution’,” it added.

The Security Council, including the North’s sole major ally China, voted unanimously to expand sanctions on Pyongyang over its nuclear test, including tightening financial restrictions and an explicit ban on luxury items coveted by the North’s elite.

The North threatened a “pre-emptive” nuclear strike against the US and scrapped all non-aggression pacts with South Korea in a sign of provocation towards its neighbor.

The US warned North Korea that its threats would only drive itself deeper into international isolation.

“The United States of America and our allies are prepared to deal with any threat and any reality that occurs in the world,” US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.