Pyongyang on Friday warned of the possibility of "strong physical counter-measures" against South Korea in relation to tougher sanctions imposed this week by the United Nations.

The threat against South Korea came a day after the North said it would carry out nuclear testing and more long-range rocket launches as part of a new phase of confrontation with the United States. The statement Friday from North Korea's Committee for Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said it would take action against South Korea if it "takes a direct part" in the U.N. sanctions. Meanwhile, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said on Friday that Pyongyang’s missile research capability has entered into a new phase. Onodera made the remark at a security meeting, which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also attended. Onodera added that the capability of the DPRK's short-or-middle-range missiles has also been improved, posing more threats to Japan's security.