People watch a TV news program about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) ballistic missile launch, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2016. (Xinhua/File Photo)
The UN Security Council "strongly condemned" the launching of a submarine-launched ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Aug. 23, saying that the launch is "in grave violation of" the Pyongyang's international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions.
In a statement issued here late Friday, the 15-nation UN body also strongly condemned the ballistic missile launches conducted by the DPRK on Aug. 2 and July 18, and the launching of a submarine-launched ballistic missile by the DPRK on July 9.
"These launches are in grave violation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's international obligations under United Nations Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013) and 2270 (2016)," the statement said.
The launch came after South Korea and the United States began their annual military drills on Monday.
The Security Council has adopted five resolutions -- resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013) and 2270 (2016) -- to curb the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs. The latest one adopted in March imposes the most severe sanctions yet on the country, including an export ban and asset freeze.
"The members of the Security Council deplore all Democratic People's Republic of Korea ballistic missile activities, including these launches, noting that such activities contribute to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tension," the statement said.
"The members of the Security Council further regretted that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is diverting resources to the pursuit of ballistic missiles while Democratic People's Republic of Korea citizens have great unmet needs," said the statement.
"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 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 statement said.
On Wednesday, the United Nations urged the DPRK to "take steps necessary to de-escalate the situation and return to dialogue on denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula.
In a related development, China strongly opposes the planned deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THADD) anti-missile system in South Korea, saying it would worsen tension on the Korean peninsula and threaten regional security.
