UN Security Council meets over North Korea missile explosions

UN Council meets over NKorea missiles

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council has condemned North Korea’s recent missile tests.

Pyongyang has increased tensions lately. On Saturday, U.S. Independence Day, the North fired seven ballistic missiles into the ocean off its east coast in violation of three U.N. resolutions in its biggest display of missile firepower in three years.

A diplomat who asked to remain anonymous said Japan requested the meeting.

The council punished the North after its May nuclear test with a resolution and tough sanctions to clamp down on alleged trading of banned arms and weapons-related material, including authorizing searches of suspect ships.