The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) yesterday lashed out at the UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolution, saying it's "a declaration of a war."

A statement issued by the DPRK Foreign Ministry denounced the UNSC resolution as "a product of the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

This is the first official reaction from Pyongyang since the UNSC adopted its 1718 resolution on the DPRK's nuclear test last Saturday.

"The UNSC resolution ... can not be construed otherwise than a declaration of a war against the DPRK," said the statement.

The DPRK reaffirmed that it didn't abandon the effort of denuclearization and peace, but it "is not afraid of war."

"If anyone attempts to infringe upon the DPRK's sovereignty and right to existence even a bit under the signboard of the UNSC resolution, it will deal merciless blows at him through strong action," it said.

The statement didn't say what action the DPRK will take on "attempt of infringement," just adding that it "will closely follow the future U.S. attitude and take corresponding measures."

The DPRK also said that its nuclear test last Monday was just a way of self-defense due to the "US nuclear threat and blackmail and foiling its attempt to ignite a new war."

The KCNA announced last Monday that the DPRK had conducted a successful underground nuclear test.

The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution, condemning the nuclear test proclaimed by the DPRK, demanding that the DPRK eliminate its nuclear weapons and nuclear programs, and imposing sanctions on the DPRK in spheres related to its nuclear, ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction.