North Korea Will Respond Firmly To Sanctions Of The United States

Illustration of North Korea. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korea has criticized the administration of United States President Donald Trump for imposing sanctions that "make them angry", and pledged to respond in accordance with the sanctions, according to state media reports Thursday.

The United States Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on eight individuals and two entities suspected of being involved in North Korea's various cyber money laundering schemes, in a move aimed at cutting funding for the country's weapons programs.

"Nothing that stupid expects new results while following an old scenario from the failed past," KCNA said, citing the country's deputy foreign minister in charge of US affairs.

"The US needs to realize that no matter how many sanctions it imposes, the possibility to change the current strategic situation between the US and North Korea for the sake of profit is less than zero," the statement said.

"As long as the current US administration has expressed its attitude to be hostile to us until the end, we will also be patient and respond appropriately," said KCNA.

Earlier, South Korea's intelligence agency said this week it was likely that North Korea and the United States would hold a summit early next year.

President Trump himself is known to have repeatedly called for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his visit to Asia last month and remain open to possible future meetings.