China's top envoy to Seoul said Wednesday that China will strictly implement new U.N. sanctions on North Korea, amid the communist country's recent threat to conduct a nuclear warhead test.

Amb. Qiu Guohong made the remark during a lecture held at Korea University, denouncing Pyongyang for conducting its fourth nuclear test in breach of international obligations, as outlined by the U.N. Security Council.

"North Korea should pay the price for its own conduct," the Chinese envoy to South Korea said. "That is why China also took responsible action in the process of discussing the new resolutions at the U.N. Security Council."

The new U.N. sanctions, slapped on North Korea following its latest nuclear test and rocket launch this year, include the mandatory inspection of all cargo going in and out of the North and a ban on the country's exports of coal and other mineral resources that serve as a key source of hard currency for the cash-strapped regime.

"As the new resolution has been approved, China will strictly and seriously implement the sanctions," the diplomat said.

Still, the top envoy said the sanctions cannot be the purpose of pressure and there should be further negotiations and talks to fundamentally resolve North Korea's nuclear issue.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have risen after the North's nuclear test and rocket launch.

More recently, North Korea has issued daily threats of nuclear strikes against South Korea and the United States. Seoul and Washington, for their part, have been conducting large scale joint military drills, a clear message that the allies will respond firmly to any future provocations from the North. (Yonhap)