Replicas of North Korean Scud-B missile (C) and South Korean Hawk surface-to-air missiles are displayed at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul on July 8, 2016Image copyrightAFP/GETTY IMAGES

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A replica of a Scud missile (centre) similar to those believed launched by the North in July

China has joined the 14 other members of the UN Security Council in strongly condemning North Korea for test-firing ballistic missiles.

The Security Council issued a unanimous statement, agreeing to take "significant measures" in response to the latest series of launches.

North Korea has test-fired several ballistic missiles in July and August, including one from a submarine towards Japan on Wednesday.

China is Pyongyang's main ally.

The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the submarine-launched missile test was the "greatest success", putting the US mainland and the Pacific "within the striking range".

But Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the missile breached his country's Air Defence Identification Zone and condemned what he called an "unforgivable, reckless act" and a grave threat to Japan's security.