(Image Source: The Sun) BY KATIE BRENNAN Yet another day of tough talk from North Korea — which on Thursday declared the US its “sworn enemy” as it threatens “all out confrontation.” The country says it will begin yet another round of rocket launches and a nuclear test targeting the US. This comes just one day after a decision by the UN Security Council that condemned the country’s rocket launch back in December. The council also backed a US resolution to tighten sanctions against North Korea. The Guardian reports the nuclear threats are prompted by that decision. That’s a spokesman with North Korea’s National Defense commission. The Guardian translates, "We are not disguising the fact that the various satellites and long-range rockets that we will fire and the high-level nuclear test we will carry out are targeted at the United States." The International Business Times reports US special envoy on North Korea issues, Glyn Davies, says the UN sanctions are no excuse: “This is not something that they can credibly claim is in reaction to steps taken by the international community. We would call on them not to engage in further provocations.” This situation isn’t a first... In 2006 and 2009, the UN condemned nuclear tests by North Korea. CNN takes a step back and asks would North Korea actually do what it’s threatening? “Here's what the South Korean defense minister says. Listen. ‘We consider that North Korea is ready to conduct a nuclear test at any time if its leadership decides to go ahead.’” But of course — this is the first time the world has faced the, launch-sanctions-nuke threat cycle under the new leadership of Kim Jong Un — who took over in 2011 after the death of his father Kim Jong Il. In an opinion piece by CNN’s Benjamin Habib after the December launch, Habib suggests the country’s new leader is trying to make a name for himself. “By demonstrating technological prowess, it would legitimize the regime's "strong and prosperous country" rhetoric and bestow prestige...” Business Insider quotes the Eurasia Group’s geopolitical risk expert Ian Bremmer, who mentioned North Korea in his list of top global risks and red herrings for 2013, saying: “...in his first year of power, Kim Jong-un has presided over a regime that's a bit more transparent, a bit more balanced... Is he sincere? ... We honestly don't know. And neither does anybody else.” And South Korea, and the U.S. are not the only ones getting nervous about North Korea’s nuclear plans. China — an ally of the north — is also showing concern. “From China’s point of view there is growing frustration over North Korea’s actions. Privately, Chinese officials will be deeply worried about this developments.” –(BBC)