UN Security Council slams Pyongyang's launches of ballistic missiles

The DPRK has claimed that it had successfully test-fired Pukguksong-2, a surface-to-surface medium- and long-range ballistic missile, and its top leader Kim Jong Un guided the test firing, according to the state news agency KCNA.

Under relevant UN resolutions, the DPRK is barred from staging ballistic missile launches or nuclear weapons tests.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea shall refrain from further actions, including nuclear tests, in violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, and comply fully with its obligations under these resolutions," the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council called upon all member states to redouble their efforts to implement fully the measures imposed on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea by the Security Council, particularly the comprehensive measures contained in resolutions 2321 (2016) and 2270 (2016)," said the statement.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in North-East Asia at large, expressed their commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation and welcomed efforts by Council members, as well as other States, to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue," the statement said. "The members of the Security Council stress the importance of working to reduce tensions in the Korean Peninsula and beyond."

"The members of the Security Council agreed that the Security Council would continue to closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures, in line with the Council's previously expressed determination," the statement said.

Earlier Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the DPRK's latest launch of another ballistic missile, saying that "this action is a further troubling violation of Security Council resolutions."

Guterres said in a statement issued here by his spokesman that "The DPRK leadership must return to full compliance with its international obligations and to the path of denuclearization."