New | North Korea denounces UN over condemnation of its missile tests

North Korea has denounced a UN Security Council statement condemning its four latest ballistic missile launches, calling it “a hostile act” perpetrated by the United States and warning that it could precipitate America’s “self-destruction.”

A Foreign Ministry statement sent to UN correspondents on Monday also warned that North Korea “has substantial means capable of reducing aggression troops in the US mainland and the operational theatre in the Pacific to ashes in a moment.”

A press statement approved Friday night by all 15 Security Council members, including North Korea’s ally China, called the four launches in July and August “grave violations” of a ban on all ballistic missile activity.

The council expressed “serious concern” that North Korea had carried out the launches after six ballistic missile firings between April and June, “in flagrant disregard” of the council’s repeated demands to halt all missile launches and nuclear tests which violate UN resolutions.

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States of instigating the statement and “abusing” the Security Council, to deter the country’s “legitimate right to self-defense.”

The ministry called the council statement “a reckless provocation harassing peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.”