DPRK vows 'substantial' response

Regional tensions 'raising possibility of new arms race in Northeast Asia'

Pyongyang's top leader vowed to take substantial and high-profile state measures in response to new UN sanctions, its state media said on Sunday, as Tokyo launched intelligence satellites before Seoul's rocket launch next week.

Actions by parties in Northeast Asia may trigger a regional arms race and lead to the progressive escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula, observers said.