The council met after North Korea launched a missile from a submarine towards Japan on August 24.
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It urged all United Nations member states “to redouble their efforts” to implement sanctions against Pyongyang, including the toughest measures in two decades imposed by the council in March.
As in past statements, the Council went on to say that it “would continue to closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures in line with the Council’s previously expressed determination”.
It also launched a long-range rocket in February, which according to Pyongyang was aimed at placing an earth observation satellite into orbit. However, the United States and South Korea denounced the practice as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.
A proven SLBM system would take North Korea’s nuclear strike threat to a new level, allowing deployment far beyond the Korean peninsula and a “second-strike” capability in the event of an attack on its military bases.
North Korea already has a variety of land-based missiles that can hit South Korea and Japan, including USA military bases in those countries.
The latest submarine launch of a ballistic missile came on Wednesday, and South Korean officials said it flew about 310 miles, the longest distance achieved by the North for such a weapon.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has praised the country’s missile programme for having “perfectly acquired” the technology of an SLBM in a short span of time, official state media said on Thursday.
Despite the North’s successful test this week, the country faces significant technological challenges including building a new class of submarine to carry the missile.
Pyongyang is developing nuclear weapons because of “outrageous nuclear intimidation” by Washington, he pointed out.
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North Korea has pledged to develop a nuclear arsenal in a bid to protect itself from the USA military, which occasionally deploys nuclear-powered warships and aircraft capable of carrying atomic weapons in the region.
