North Korea warned on Thursday it is planning its toughest response to what it deemed a "declaration of war" by the United States afterWashington blacklisted the armed country's leader, Kim Jong Un, over human rights abuses.
Pyongyang described the sanctioning of Kim as a "hideous crime," Reuters reported, citing North Korea's official KCNA news agency.
"The U.S. dared challenge the dignity of (North Korea) supreme leadership, an act reminiscent of a new-born puppy knowing no fear of a tiger," the statement said.
"This is the worst hostility and an open declaration of war against (North Korea) as it has gone far beyond the confrontation over the human rights issue," it added.
The United States was unfazed, urging Pyongyang in response to refrain from statements and actions that raise tensions in the region. READ MORE
