WASHINGTON: The United States have asked North Korea to refrain from provocative actions as it strongly condemned the latter's launch of three ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, even as G20 Summit in China was underway."These launches, which have become far too common in the past several months, violate multiple UN Security Council Resolutions explicitly prohibiting North Korea's launches using ballistic missile technology," the state department spokesman John Kirby said."North Korea's development of its UN-proscribed nuclear and ballistic missile programs threatens the United States; our allies, Japan and the Republic of Korea; and our partners in the region."Today's reckless launches by North Korea threaten civil aviation and maritime commerce in the region," he alleged.Kirby said the US will raise its concerns at the UN about the threat posed to international security by these programs."We will also do so in other fora--including the upcoming East Asia Summit--to bolster international resolve to hold the DPRK accountable for its provocative actions.Our commitment to the defense of our allies in the face of these threats remains ironclad," he added."We call on North Korea to refrain from actions and rhetoric that further raise tensions in the region and to focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international obligations and commitments," Kirby said.