North Korea Warns Of Tough Response After U.S. Blacklisted Leader

North Korea warned on Thursday it is planning its toughest response to what it deemed a "declaration of war" by the United States after Washington blacklisted the nuclear-armed country's leader, Kim Jong Un, for human rights abuses.

Pyongyang described the sanctioning of Kim as a "hideous crime," according to North Korea's official KCNA news agency.

"... the U.S. dared challenge the dignity of (North Korea) supreme leadership, an act reminiscent of a new-born puppy knowing no fear of a tiger," the statement said.

"This is the worst hostility and an open declaration of war against (North Korea) as it has gone far beyond the confrontation over the human rights issue," the statement further explained.