Paris Urges Int’l Community to Respond Firmly to N Korea’s Rocket Launch

France calls on the international community to take tough measures against North Korea in connection with the launch of a ballistic missile by Pyongyang, French President Francois Hollande’s press service said in a statement on Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier on Sunday, North Korea fired a long-range rocket, defying a UN Security Council resolution, which bans Pyongyang from launching rockets that may be used as ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads.

"France condemns the newest violation of a UN Security Council resolution by the DPRK and calls for a prompt and tough reaction from the international community at today's meeting of the UN Security Council," the statement reads.

The United States, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia have condemned the missile launch by Pyongyang.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting later on Sunday.

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.

North Korea previously reported a successful satellite launch in 2012, in violation of the UN Security Council resolution.