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North Korea

July 7, 2009

The United Nations Security Council has condemned North Korea for launching seven missiles on the weekend. The UN says the tests were a threat to security.

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A South Korean watches a television broadcasting about a missile launch
South Korea is also concerned about the North's missile launchesImage: AP

Ugandan Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda, who is chairing the 15-nation body this month, said that the members "condemned and expressed grave concern" over North Korea's action on Saturday.

The Security Council issued a statement following close to three hours of closed-door discussion saying that the launch "constitutes a violation of UN resolutions and posed a threat to regional and international security."

The seven missiles, which the communist state is banned from firing under UN resolutions, were aimed into the Sea of Japan in an act of defiance, possibly timed to coincide with the US Independence Day holiday.

Japanese Ambassador Yukio Takasu, whose country feels most threatened by Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and who had requested the council meeting, immediately welcomed the statement.

North Korea exploded its first nuclear device in October 2006.

Author: td/AP/Reuters

Editor: Clare Atkinson

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