UN council considers condemnation of NKorea

UNITED NATIONS, United States: The UN Security Council met for two hours on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) to discuss North Korea’s test-

The Malaysian ambassador said the United States would soon circulate a draft statement to the 14 other council members.

Diplomats expected further haggling with China, Pyongyang’s main ally, over the wording of the statement.

North Korea is barred under UN resolutions from any use of ballistic-missile technology, but Pyongyang has carried out several launches following its fourth nuclear test in January.

UN Secretary- General Ban Ki- moon described the latest launch as “deeply troubling” and said North Korea had acted the international community to reverse its course.”

“Not only are such actions a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions, but they also undermine peace and stability in the Korean peninsula,” said Ban’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

South Korea’s military said the missile, launched in the early morning from a subma Japan), flew about 500 kilome improvement on similar tests in the past.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo - what he called an “unforgivable, reckless act” and a grave threat to Japan’s security.

North Korea has been hit by 2006.