UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The top U.N. spokesman says the armistice ending the Korean War is still valid and still in force, despite North Korea's claim that it has been nullified.

Martin Nesirky said Monday that the armistice agreement had been adopted by the U.N. General Assembly and neither North Korea nor South Korea could dissolve it unilaterally.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry last week said it was cancelling the 60-year-old armistice after the U.N. Security Council adopted new sanctions to punish Pyongyang for its latest nuclear test.

The country's main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported Monday that the armistice was nullified.

North Korea's mission to the U.N. did not respond to requests for comment.