North Korea has said it will launch "thousands-fold" revenge against the United States after it introduced tough new UN sanctions.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved new penalties for the North after it launched intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The sanctions include a ban on coal and other exports worth more than $1 billion.

North Korean missile 'can hit US mainland' says Kim Jong Un

The North's statement, carried by state media, said the sanctions were caused by a “heinous US plot to isolate and stifle” North Korea.

The UN sanctions will never force the country to negotiate over its nuclear program or to give up its nuclear drive, Pyongyang claimed.

It added that it will take “action of justice”, but didn't elaborate.

Previous attempts to force Pyongyang into abandoning its nuclear weapons programme have been undercut by the North's trading partners not implementing them.

US President Donald Trump has demanded the penalties be implemented quickly and in full.

Yet Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has indicated there was a slim possibility negotiations could recommence.

In pictures: North Korea military drill Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: North Korea military drill In pictures: North Korea military drill North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video