UN Security Council condemns N. Korea missile launch

NEW YORK (AA) - The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday strongly condemned recent ballistic missile launches by North Korea.

The move came only hours after the U.S. moved to further remove the diplomatically isolated state from international markets.

A UN statement cited three failed launches as being "in grave violation of [North Korea’s] international obligations" under a number of UN resolutions dating to 2006.

The Security Council said the launches on May 31, April 27 and 28, albeit failed, contributed to the development of the country's nuclear weapons delivery systems.

It also expressed regret that the totalitarian state was "diverting resources to the pursuit of ballistic missiles while its citizens have great unmet needs.”

Earlier Wednesday, the U.S. designated North Korea as a "primary money laundering concern," preventing U.S. financial institutions from doing business with North Korean banks.

The UN’s announcement supports the international body’s recent response to Pyongyang’s nuclear exploits that escalate tensions in the region.

In March, the UN imposed some of its stiffest economic sanctions on Pyongyang following a series of ballistic missile and nuclear tests.