UNITED NATIONS, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday condemned the recent ballistic missile launches of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), urging the northeast Asian country to fully comply with its obligations and relevant UN resolutions. 

This file photo shows a model of a SCUD-B missile produced in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, displayed at the War Memorial Hall in Seoul. According to South Korean Joint Forces, the DPRK fired seven missiles off the east coast from a base near Wonsan on Saturday. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Uganda's UN Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda, this month's president of the Security Council, made the oral statement to the press following two hours of closed-door consultations of the 15-nation Council.

    Rugunda said the Security Council "condemned and expressed grave concern at the launches, which constitute the violation of UN Security Council resolutions and pose a threat to regional and international security."

    He said members of the Security Council reiterated that the DPRK "must comply fully with its obligations and relevant resolutions, including the Security Council Resolution 1718 and 1874."

    The DPRK fired a total of seven ballistic missiles on Saturday, raising international concerns over regional security.

    According to the Joint Forces of the Republic of Korea (ROK), the seven missiles, estimated to have a range of 400-500 km, were fired off the east coast from a base near Wonsan, Gangwon Province.

    The missile firing came two days after the DPRK test-fired four short-range missiles off its eastern coast, which ROK officials described as part of routine military drills.

DPRK fires additional missile, raising total number to 7

    SEOUL, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea fired one additional short-range missile on Saturday, raising the total number of missiles fired in the day to seven, local media reported.

    According to South Korean Joint Forces, the DPRK fired an additional missile off the east coast from a base near Wonsan, Gangwon Province at around 05:40 p.m. (0840 GMT), in addition to six short-range missiles fired at the same place earlier in the morning.

    The DPRK started with two scud-type missiles between 08:00 - 08:30 a.m. (2300-2330 GMT Friday), after which shot four more at around 10:45 a.m. (0145 GMT), noon (0300 GMT), 02:50 p.m. (0550 GMT), and 04:10 p.m. (0710 GMT).

    All the seven missiles are estimated to have a range of 400-500km, the official said.  Full story

DPRK's new missile launch raises int'l concerns

    HONG KONG, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired a total of seven ballistic missiles on Saturday, raising international concerns over regional security.  Full story

DPRK should not "aggravate tensions," U.S. says

    WASHINGTON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Saturday reiterated its call for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) not to "aggravate tensions" hours after the latter fired another seven missiles off its eastern coast.

    "North Korea (DPRK) should refrain from actions that aggravate tensions and focus on denuclearization talks and the implementation of its commitments from the September 19, 2005 joint statement," State Department spokesman Karl Duckworth said.  Full story

S Korean gov't expresses regrets on DPRK firing short-range missiles

    SEOUL, July 4 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's foreign ministry on Saturday expressed regrets on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s firing of short-range missiles off its east coast, calling it a provocative action which violates UN Security Council resolutions.

    "The government has confirmed that North Korea fired four ballistic missiles from the Gitdaeryong site in Gangwon Province," the ministry said in a statement.  Full story

Japan calls Pyongyang's missile launch "provocation"

    TOKYO, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan condemned Pyongyang's latest missile launch, calling it a serious act of provocation, the top government spokesman said Saturday.

    "It is a serious act of provocation against the security of neighboring countries, including Japan, and is against the resolution of the U.N. Security Council," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said in a statement. Full story

U.S. keeps door open for DPRK's return to disarmament talks: Obama 

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington June 23, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    WASHINGTON, July 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday that his administration is trying to "keep a door open" for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s return to the six-party talks which was designed to make the settlement of nuclear issues on the Korean peninsula.

    In his exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Obama insisted that the DPRK give up its nuclear weapon programs.  Full story