"This action is in violation of Security Council resolutions and a threat to peace and security in the region. The secretary-general calls on the DPRK to ensure full compliance with its international obligations and return to the path of denuclearization," he said.

The statement came a day before the Security Council holds an urgent session to discuss the missile test.

The North successfully test-fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile on Sunday. The test was seen as a demonstration of big progress the North has made in its pursuit of development of an continental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US.

The missile, which was launched at a high angle, reached the maximum altitude of more than 2,111.5 kilometers before landing in the East Sea 787 km away. Experts said the missile could have flown about 4,500 km if it had been fired at a normal angle.

The distance to Hawaii, headquarters for US military operations in the Pacific, is 7,400 km. (Yonhap)