The Security Council unanimously（全体一致地） passed the resolution, which also expanded existing sanctions, on Tuesday. 

 

North Korea, in a statement early on Wednesday, pledged to bolster³ its "nuclear deterrent⁴（威慑）" and ruled out denuclearisation talks. 

 

The resolution followed Pyongyang's successful December launch. 

 

North Korea said the three-stage rocket put a communications satellite into space. 

 

But its neighbours and the US said the move constituted a test of long-range missile technology banned under UN resolutions passed after Pyongyang's nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. 

 

The Security Council resolution was proposed by the US and backed by China, North Korea's closest ally and biggest trading partner. 

 

Under the resolution - which pledged "significant action" if North Korea carried out a third nuclear test - North Korea's space agency, a bank and a number of trading companies and individuals were added to existing sanctions lists.

 

"This resolution demonstrates to North Korea that there are unanimous and significant consequences for its flagrant（公然的） violation⁵" of previous resolutions, said US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice. 

 

Both South Korea and Japan welcomed the resolution, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calling it a "resolute⁶ action".

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