Three major companies of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have been targeted for new UN sanctions in response to the country's recent rocket launch. Pyongyang calls the sanctions a "wanton violation of United Nations charter."

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea confirmed Saturday that the country has begun reprocessing of spent fuel rods in a pilot atomic power plant.

This is the latest move by the UN to punish Pyongyang's April fifth rocket launch.

Yukio Takasu, Japanese Ambassador to UN said "Sanction committee on North Korea has made a very important decision and Japan, as a key country for interest in this issue, is very pleased that sanction committee made an extraordinary effort. "

The US also welcomed the committee's action and called it "a serious and credible response."

The committee had been asked to come up with a list of goods and entities to be blacklisted under the resolution adopted after the DPRK's nuclear test in 2006.

Baki Ilkin, Turkish Ambassador to UN said "The committee has agreed to update a lengthy list of items, materials, equipment, goods and technology whose import to and export from the DPRK are prohibited. The committee has also agreed to designate three entities to be subject to the measures, namely an asset freeze."

The three companies are the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation, Korea Ryongbong General Corporation, and Tranchon Commercial Bank. The UN has accused them of having links to the country's military activities.

The DPRK calls the sanctions a "wanton violation of United Nations charter."

Pak Tok Hun, DPRK Ambassador to UN said "It is the inalienable rights of every nation and country to make peaceful use of outer space. That's why we totally reject and do not recognize any sorts of decision which has been made, or would be made, in the security council."

The sanctions are likely to draw further protests from the DPRK. Pyongyang last week expelled international nuclear monitors, vowed to restart its atomic programme and quit disarmament negotiations.

(CCTV April 26, 2009)