The U.N. Security Council on Sunday condemned North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missile test, saying such a move contributes to Pyongyang's capabilities to deliver nuclear weapons.

"The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the council said in a press statement.

The launch is "yet another serious violation" of U.N. Council resolutions," it said.

"The members of the Security Council emphasized that the DPRK's development and testing of new ballistic missile capabilities, even if launches are failures, is clearly prohibited by these resolutions," the council said.

The council also expressed concern that "such ballistic missile activities contribute to the DPRK's development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tension in the region and beyond."

"The members of the Security Council agreed that the Security Council would continue to closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures in line with the council's previously expressed determination," the statement said.

The council also urged U.N. members to carry out sanctions on Pyongyang.

On Saturday, the North test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile, but the launch was assessed as failure as it flew for only about 30 kilometers. Still Pyongyang claimed Sunday that the test was successful.

The launch was the latest in a series of provocative acts the North has undertaken in defiance of international pressure increased in the wake of its fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch the following month.

Earlier this month, the North also carried out its first launch of the intermediate-range Musudan missile, but the launch ended in failure as the missile blew up shortly after launch.

Concerns also persist that Pyongyang could carry out yet another nuclear test in an effort to project an image of Kim Jong-un as a strong leader in the lead-up to the Workers' Party Congress next month. (Yonhap)