The United States on Monday warned that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will see " additional steps in the coming weeks" for its provocative actions, hinting more sanctions on Pyongyang for its missile and nuclear programs.

At the daily press briefing, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley dismissed Pyongyang's criticism on the joint military exercise by the United States and the Republic of Korea, saying the DPRK is a source of instability in the region.

"As a result of a string of provocative actions by North Korea, as a result of North Korea's unwillingness to engage constructively and live up to its obligations, North Korea is going to see additional steps taken in the coming weeks," said the spokesman.

According to Crowley, the additional steps would be sanctions on entities and individuals having links with Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs, which he said "North Korea has used, through various tests, to threaten the security of the region."

The DPRK's official news agency of KCNA said Saturday that the ongoing military exercise was aimed at launching an anticipative attack on the country, warning that the DPRK will defeat all of its enemies with all of its self-defense strength.

"It is important for North Korea to focus on its own actions. And we'd like to see North Korea move in a different action," Crowley said, warning that if Pyongyang continues its "string of provocative actions," "there will be consequences."

Early on Monday, Robert Einhorn, U.S. State Department's special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, told reporters in Seoul that the United States will soon adopt new sanctions on Pyongyang in order to force it to stop provocation and abandon its nuclear weapons program.

Source: Xinhua