Clinton says N.Korea's actions 'deeply regrettable'

NIAGARA FALLS, Canada (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Saturday that North Korea's provocative actions were "deeply regrettable" and Washington would vigorously impose new U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang.

"The North Koreans' continuing provocative actions are deeply regrettable. They have now been denounced by everyone and have become further isolated," Clinton said.

Pyongyang said on Saturday it would start a uranium enrichment program and vowed to weaponize all of its plutonium in response to new U.N. sanctions agreed to on Friday.

The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution on Friday that banned all weapons exports from North Korea and most arms imports into the state. It authorized U.N. member states to inspect North Korean sea, air and land cargo, requiring them to seize and destroy goods shipped that violate the sanctions.

"The resolution represented a unified response to the provocative actions that have been taken by the North Koreans over the last several months," Clinton added.

"This was a tremendous statement on behalf of the world community that North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and the capacity to deliver those weapons through missiles is not going to be accepted by the neighbors as well as the greater international community," Clinton said.

She said the United States would work with other countries to enforce the provisions of the resolution "in a vigorous way to send a clear message that we intend to do all we can to prevent continued proliferation by the North Koreans."