DPRK blasts U.S. for stepping up pressure, sanctions

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday blasted U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration for stepping up pressure on and sanctions against it.

A spokesman for the DPRK's foreign ministry said in a statement that the "racket" for sanctions against and pressure on the DPRK by the Obama administration "has reached an extreme phase."

The statement, carried by the official news agency KCNA, said the U.S. government is "making desperate efforts to isolate and stifle the DPRK by pressurizing other sovereign countries to sever relations with the DPRK or downgrade the level of ties with it."

"This is nothing but the last-ditch efforts of those who are on a losing streak in the political and military stand-off with the DPRK," the statement added.

The DPRK, in order to defend itself from political, economic pressure and military threat, has bolstered nuclear force both in quality and quantity and has now become a nuclear power with powerful nuclear attack capabilities, said the statement.

On Sept. 9, Pyongyang said it has successfully tested a nuclear warhead, which marked its fifth nuclear test, eight months after it conducted a purported hydrogen bomb test in January. It also launched a long-range rocket on Feb. 7.

In March, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on tougher sanctions against the DPRK to curb the country's nuclear and missile programs. Security Council members also called for an early resumption of the six-party talks.