LONDON (Sputnik) — On Sunday, North Korea announced it had successfully launched the Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite atop a long-range rocket.
"This test, even if characterized as a space launch vehicle or launch of a satellite, clearly contributes to North Korea’s development of nuclear weapon delivery systems and is a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolutions," Swire said in a statement published by the Foreign Office.
The North Korean ambassador in London was summoned to the Foreign Office on Sunday over the issue.
Tensions over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs escalated after Pyongyang said on January 6 that it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, triggering condemnation from the international community and prompting the UN Security Council to begin drafting an anti-DPRK resolution.
North Korea previously reported a successful satellite launch in 2012, in violation of the UN Security Council resolution.