Kim Yong Nam, director of a department of the Ministry of Food and Consumer Goods Industries, told KCNA:

The statement of the DPRK government is an important decision reflecting the will of its whole army and people to force the U.S. to pay dear price for all heinous crimes it has committed.

We can never forgive the sordid moves of the U.S. which is desperately keen on blocking the advance of our country, branding its ICBM launch as "a threat to international peace and security".

Even if the U.S. and its minions will put the worst pressure upon us, it can never terrify us.

We will hold higher the banner of self-reliance and self-development for increased production to make their "sanctions" go up in smoke.

Mun Jong Nam, director of a department of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, said:

Our country has achieved only victories by baffling the U.S. moves to stifle it. The more persistent the enemies become in putting sanctions against us, the stronger our might grows.

"Sanction" can never sap our faith in independence and justice.

Kim Jong Hyok, secretary of Pyongyang City Committee of the Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League, said:

If the hateful U.S. imperialists dare make a preemptive attack against the DPRK, our five million young vanguards will turn out in the decisive battle to exterminate the source of aggression and war.