The US has tabled a resolution at the UN Security Council, calling for sanctions on North Korean officials and financial transactions.
"For the first time ever, this resolution targets the illicit activities of North Korean diplomatic personnel, North Korean banking relationships [and] illicit transfers of bulk cash," said UN ambassador Susan.
"The breadth and scope of these sanctions is exceptional and demonstrates the strength of the international community's commitment to denuclearisation."
China is supporting the US moves, with Lia Baodong, China's UN envoy, saying that a “strong signal” had to be sent, after North Korea again conducted a nuclear test last month.
North Korea earlier said it would end the 1953 armistice with South Korea in response to the threats of sanctions.
"We aim to launch surgical strikes at any time and any target without being bounded by the armistice accord and advance our long-cherished wish for national unification," a statement by the military command said.
