US calls for UN meeting on North Korea missile test

This picture taken from North Korean TV and released by South Korean news agency Yonhap on February 7, 2016 shows a North Korean missile test. (AFP photo)

The United States has called for a meeting at the United Nations Security Council on North Korea's latest ballistic missile test.

The US Mission to the UN said on Friday it asked for closed consultations on the ballistic missile launch, carried out in defiance of UN resolutions banning such launches.

On Friday, North Korea test-fired two medium-range ballistic missiles, just days after its leader Kim Jong-un promised a series of nuclear warhead tests and missile launches amid surging military tensions.

North Korea said it had made a breakthrough in its pursuit of a long-range missile capable of striking the US mainland.

North Korea also carried out a nuclear test in January and a rocket launch in February that sparked global condemnations.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the firing of two medium-range ballistic missiles was "deeply troubling" and urged Pyongyang to halt "these inflammatory and escalatory actions," his spokesman said.

US President Barack Obama signed a new executive order on Wednesday that tightens the US trade embargo on North Korea over the country’s nuclear and missile tests.

The Obama administration said the new measures block any US trade with the North Korean government and any entities in the country engaged in finance, transportation, mining and energy.

Chinese companies could also be targeted in the crackdown, US officials said. China is North Korea's sole major ally and largest trading partner.

On Thursday, China expressed its opposition to the unilateral sanctions, saying they could raise tensions in the region.


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