UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres today condemned the latest launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea, saying it "undermines" regional security and stability and efforts to create space for dialogue.
North Korea fired a missile which flew over Japan, one of its most provocative missile tests in recent years that prompted Tokyo to warn residents in its path to take cover.
The Secretary-General calls on the North Korean government to fully comply with its international obligations and work towards reopening communication channels, a statement issued by his spokesperson here said.
"The Secretary-General condemns the latest launch of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in violation of Security Council resolutions. The launch undermines regional security and stability and efforts to create space for dialogue," it added.
The UN Chief remains in close contact with all parties concerned, the statement said.
The missile travelled around 2,700 kilometres (1,700 miles) at a maximum altitude of around 550 kilometres.
No North Korean missile had overflown Japan for years, and the launch came after a strained period on the peninsula following Pyongyangs testing of two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) last month that appeared to bring much of the US mainland within reach.