U.N. council discusses North Korea missile launch

By Patrick Worsnip

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council met Monday on North Korea's latest rocket launches with Western nations pushing for a statement condemning Saturday's salvo of seven ballistic missiles.

Pyongyang's missile firings into the Sea of Japan defied Security Council resolutions that prohibit such launches.

Monday's council meeting was requested by Japan, which currently sits on the council, diplomats said. It was not clear what view China, which holds a veto in the council and is the closest Pyongyang has to an ally there, would take.

The launches on the U.S. July 4 Independence Day holiday were seen as an act of defiance towards the United States, which has cracked down on firms suspected of helping the North in its arms and missiles trade.

North Korea appears to have fired two mid-range Rodong missiles, which can hit all of South Korea and most of Japan, and five shorter-range Scud missiles, which can strike most of South Korea, South Korean officials told reporters.

Last month, the Security Council passed a resolution expanding previous U.N. sanctions against North Korea in response to a May 25 nuclear test by Pyongyang.

A U.N. sanctions committee is considering blacklisting more North Korean companies and individuals for supporting Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. It is meant to complete its work by Friday.

A North Korean cargo ship suspected of carrying banned arms was meanwhile expected to return home Monday after a voyage that was tracked by the U.S. Navy and tested the U.N. sanctions, South Korean Defence Ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said.