Pyongyang insists that its nuclear weapons are defensive, but has threatened nuclear annihilation.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday strongly condemned three recent North Korean missile launches which failed, calling them “a grave violation” of a ban on all ballistic missile activity that contributed to the country’s nuclear weapons program.

The council reiterated its demand that North Korea end its “flagrant” violations, halt all nuclear tests and ballistic missile activity, and comply with five sanctions resolutions imposed since the country’s first nuclear test in 2006.

In a statement approved by all 15 members, the council said the failed launches on May 31, May 27 and April 28 contribute to North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tensions in the region.

The council urged all countries to redouble efforts to fully implement sanctions against North Korea, especially those imposed in March which were the toughest in two decades.

Council members acted in response to what Pyongyang claimed was its first hydrogen bomb test on Jan. 6 and the launch of a satellite on a rocket on Feb. 7, which was condemned by much of the world as a test of banned missile technology.

Pyongyang insists that its nuclear weapons are defensive, but has threatened nuclear annihilation.

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