Nato has condemned the latest ballistic missile launch by North Korea, noting that the act violated resolutions made by the UN Security Council.

North Korea has launched a ballistic missile near the northwestern city of Kusong on 12 February, according to the US Strategic Command (Stratcom).

The missile, which landed in the Sea of Japan, was believed to be an intermediate-range Musudan-class missile, Reuters reported.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined that the North Korean missile launch did not pose a threat to North America, Stratcom stated.

"These consistent provocations and violations of binding UN Security Council Resolutions undermine regional and international security.‎"

Commenting on the missile launch, Stratcom said: “The men and women of [Stratcom], NORAD and US Northern Command, and US Pacific Command remain vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and are fully committed to working closely with our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies to maintain security.”

North Korea has been repeatedly conducting missile launches despite the UN Security Council's prohibition of the use of ballistic missile technology.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “These consistent provocations and violations of binding UN Security Council Resolutions undermine regional and international security.‎”

Nato is also calling North Korea to re-engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community.