U.N. Security Council to hold meeting on N.K. missile launch

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, attendig the test-firing of a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), at an undisclosed location in North Korea, July 12. Yonhap

The announcement came after the North test-fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) toward the East Sea on Wednesday. It marked the North's second solid-propellant ICBM launch following its first test-firing on April 13.

The missile launch came amid rising tensions after Pyongyang accused U.S. spy planes of "intruding" into the airspace over its exclusive economic zone and had warned it would take counteractions.

Officials in Seoul said South Korea will attend as an interested party for the UNSC meeting, as it is closely coordinating with countries like the United States and Japan over the matter.

"We call for a firm and united response from the UNSC to North Korea's repeated violations of UNSC resolutions," the official said.

North Korea is banned from any launch using ballistic missile technology under UNSC sanctions.

The UNSC meeting is taking place at the request of the U.S., France, Japan, Albania, Malta and the United Kingdom, according to a Reuters report.

South Korea is currently not one of the UNSC non-permanent members. The five permanent members are the U.S., China, France, Russia and Britain. (Yonhap)