The intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 is seen during its test in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, July, 4 2017. (KCNA/via REUTERS)

UNITED NATIONS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Tuesday strongly condemned the launch of a ballistic missile of possible intercontinental range conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) earlier in the day.

"This action is yet another brazen violation of Security Council resolutions and constitutes a dangerous escalation of the situation," UN chief spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

The UN chief called on the DPRK leadership to cease further provocative actions and comply fully with its international obligations.

"The Secretary-General underlines the importance of maintaining the unity of the international community in addressing this serious challenge," added the statement.

The DPRK declared that it successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Tuesday, hailing it as the "final gate to rounding off the state nuclear force."