North Korea's latest nuclear missile test sparks UN talks

North Korea's latest and allegedly successful ballistic missile test has sparked closed consultations at the United Nations' Security Council on Monday afternoon.

The urgent diplomatic talks were called for by US, Japan and South Korea.

This followed North Korea "successfully" launching a ballistic missile test at the weekend. The missile was fired into the sea on Sunday.

It was the first nuclear test it North Korea -- whose surpreme leader is Kim Jong Un -- has carried out since Donald Trump took was sworn in as US President in January.

The UN has handed down various sanctions against the country for its nuclear weapons testing, after having completed five tests so far.

North Korean state news agency KCNA referred to the weapon as a surface-to-surface, medium- to long-range ballistic missile. It used a solid-fuel engine in order to achieve greater range.

It has been roundly criticised for the incident, with the US, Japan and South Korea requesting an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to deal with the issue.

China, considered to be an ally of North Korea, has said that it opposed the carrying out of nuclear missile tests from that country.

Nuclear experts were unconvinced about Pyongyang's claims that it had gained the capability of making a warhead small enough to be put on a missile, but point out that that goal could be reached soon.

South Korea's acting president and prime minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn, was concerned about the continued missile testing.

He said South Korea's government was "doing its best to ensure a corresponding response to punish the North", according to the Yonahp news agency.