United Nations ( CNN ) -- The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted on Tuesday a resolution condemning North Korea 's recent rocket launch and expanding existing U.N. sanctions . `` This resolution demonstrates to North Korea that there are unanimous and significant consequences for its flagrant violation of its obligations under previous resolutions , '' the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations , Susan Rice , told reporters after the vote . Read more : Huge crowds gather in North Korean capital to celebrate rocket launch . `` More importantly , the provisions of this resolution -- both new sanctions and the tightening and expanding of existing measures -- concretely help to impede the growth of North Korea 's ( weapons of mass destruction ) program and reduce the threat of proliferation by targeting entities and individuals directly involved in these programs , '' she said . Specifically , the resolution imposes sanctions on a handful of North Korean companies , a bank and its space agency . Four individuals also were added to the blacklist . Read more : U.S. official : North Korea likely deceived U.S. , allies before launching rocket . Pyongyang has previously pressed ahead with rocket launches and nuclear tests despite international sanctions . In December , North Korea angered many in the international community by launching a long-range rocket that appeared to put a satellite in orbit , a breakthrough for the reclusive , nuclear-equipped state . Read more : South Korean officials : North Korean rocket could hit U.S. mainland . The rocket successfully blasted off from a space center on the country 's west coast and delivered a satellite into its intended orbit , the North Korean regime said . The launch followed a botched attempt in April and came just days after Pyongyang suggested a planned launch could be delayed . Many nations , such as the United States and South Korea , considered the rocket launch to be a cover for testing ballistic missile technology . Pyongyang has insisted its aim was to place a scientific satellite in space `` for peaceful purposes . '' Read more : North Korea silences doubters , raises fears with rocket launch . `` Today 's resolution makes clear that there will be an increasingly steep price to pay if North Korea again chooses confrontation with this council and the international community , '' Rice said . North Korea 's Foreign Ministry issued a response to the Security Council 's action , saying it will maintain its military power and continue to launch `` peaceful satellites . '' `` We will continue to expand and strengthen our self-defensive military power , including nuclear deterrence , to cope with U.S. 's scheme of putting ( on ) sanction pressures , '' said the statement , which was carried by KCNA , North Korea 's state news agency . Read more : North Korea 's rocket launches cost $ 1.3 billion . North Korea also said it is open to peace talks but would not discuss giving up its nuclear weapons . `` In the future , there could be talks about the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula , but there wo n't be any dialogue regarding ( the ) denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula , '' the statement said . South Korea said its northern neighbor should `` halt any additional provocation , and it should clarify its effort of denuclearization through specific action . '' South Korea also said that it did not see any unusual movement from North Korea after the resolution was passed . `` As of 10 a.m. ( Wednesday ) Korea time ( 8 p.m . ET Tuesday ) , no unusual movements were observed , '' said Unification Ministry spokeswoman Park Soo-jin . North Korea says new nuclear test will be part of fight against U.S. CNN 's KJ Kwon contributed to this report .
NEW : North Korea will continue to launch satellites , Foreign Ministry says . A resolution condemning North Korea 's recent rocket launch is unanimously approved . `` ( It ) makes clear that there will be an increasingly steep price to pay , '' says Susan Rice . U.S. believes launch tested ballistic missile technology ; North Korea says it was for science .