The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday rejected the latest round of UN sanctions on several of its citizens and entities, calling it a "hostile act." A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the country will continue its nuclear weapons development without delay, according to Reuters and Yonhap.

"It is a crafty hostile act with the purpose of putting a curb on the DPRK's buildup of nuclear forces, disarming it and causing economic suffocation to it," the spokesman said in a statement carried by the country's KCNA news agency. 

"Whatever sanctions and pressure may follow, we will not flinch from the road to build up nuclear forces," the spokesman said.

An intermediate-range ballistic missile Pukguksong-2 launches, May 22, 2017. / VCG Photo

The UN Security Council on Friday imposed travel bans and asset freezes on 14 DPRK individuals and four entities in response to its repeated ballistic missile launches.

The adopted resolution was the first motion agreed by Washington and Beijing since US President Donald Trump took office.

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