South Korea strongly condemned North Korea for its botched launch of another intermediate-range ballistic missile on Thursday, vowing to further pressure Pyongyang to give up its nuclear and missile programs.

The communist state fired off the missile early Thursday, but the launch seems to have failed, according to military officials here. The launch came less than two weeks after the North's failed launch of a similar missile.

"We strongly condemn the launch, which is a provocative act that is a clear violation of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and a threat to the peace and security of Northeast Asia and beyond," Seoul's Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

The ministry said that it would take steps at the level of the UNSC and further strengthen sanctions and pressure on the North.

"We once again strongly urge the North to realize that its efforts to advance its nuclear and missile programs will hasten its self-destruction," the ministry added.

The UNSC, which is currently chaired by China, has already issued press statements to condemn Pyongyang's test of a ballistic missile on April 15 and its launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile on Saturday.

(Yonhap)