North Korea vows to speed up nuclear program

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL (AA) - North Korea has "categorically" rejected new sanctions aimed at curbing its nuclear weapon ambitions, according to Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

The response came a day after the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution squeezing the North like never before -- by restricting the reclusive state's oil imports and banning textile exports.

The fresh sanctions follow its sixth ever nuclear test on Sept. 3.

However, amid renewed warnings to the United States, the North Korean Foreign Ministry insisted sanctions would only "strengthen its resolve to follow this road at a faster pace."

The statement carried by state-run Korean Central News Agency condemned the Security Council's punitive measures as an attempt at "completely suffocating" the North and its people.