The United Nations security council has condemned North Korea’s launch of a long-range rocket, after an emergency meeting in New York and calls by the US, South Korea and Japan for talks on how to respond to the isolated country’s latest action. The 15 council members unanimously approved a statement that stressed how any launch of ballistic missile technology, “even if characterised as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle”, contributes to North Korea’s development of systems to deliver nuclear weapons. World leaders have warned of serious consequences after North Korea launched the rocket on Sunday morning in defiance of international sanctions banning it from using ballistic missile technology. The security council had been discussing discussed a new round of sanctions against the Pyongyang regime following its fourth nuclear test last month. In a statement, the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, condemned the launch as “deeply deplorable” and urged North Korea to “halt its provocative actions”. Despite the latest moves, Pyongyang has remained defiant, releasing a statement via its Moscow embassy saying it intends to continue launching rockets carrying satellites into space. The statement also noted the council’s commitment “to continue working toward a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to…