The United Nations Security Council on July 6 condemned North Korea's July 4 firing of seven ballistic missiles, the reclusive country's biggest display of firepower in three years.

Uganda U.N. Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda, who holds the 15-member council's rotating presidency, said the members "condemned and expressed grave concern" at the missile launches, which violated U.N. resolutions, and "pose a threat to regional and international security."

Japan requested the July 6 Security Council meeting. U.N. Ambassador Yukio Takasu said the council should act "calmly and responsibly," and focus on enforcing existing resolutions.

He said Japan has asked all Southeast Asian nations, except junta-ruled Myanmar, to enforce the U.N.'s North Korea resolutions. Takasu credited the new resolutions with forcing a North Korean ship suspected of possibly carrying illicit cargo to turn back, saying Pyongyang is "changing its behavior" and is "getting the message."

However, exactly why the ship, the Kang Nam 1, turned back or what kind of cargo it carried remains unclear.