Pyongyang condemned Washington for its recent sanctions on North Korean individuals and vowed to respond accordingly.

Vice Foreign Minister Kim Un-chol, who is in charge of U.S. affairs, said Thursday in a statement to North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency that Washington's recently imposed fifth round of sanctions had effectively ended speculation of a shift in its policy toward Pyongyang.

Kim said that no matter how many sanctions Washington imposes, the likelihood of changing its current strategic situation with Pyongyang is zero.

The statement added that as long as the U.S. continues antagonizing North Korea, the regime will remain patient and respond accordingly.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Tuesday sanctioned eight North Korean individuals and two entities, accusing them of laundering the proceeds from Pyongyang's online criminal activities.