The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned the satellite launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying the move raised "grave security concerns" and demanding Pyongyang's full compliance with relevant Security Council resolutions.

The 15-nation UN body made the presidential statement after days of closed-door consultations in response to DPRK's April 13 launch.

"The Security Council strongly condemns the 13 April 2012(local time) launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)," the statement said.

"The Security Council underscores that this satellite launch, as well as any launch that uses ballistic missile technology, even if characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle, is a serious violation of Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009)," it said.

Under relevant Security Council resolutions, the DPRK is prohibited from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology.

The DPRK confirmed that the earth observation satellite launched earlier on Friday morning failed to enter orbit.

Pyongyang announced last month its decision to launch the rocket between April 12 and 16 to mark the 100th birthday of late DPRK founder Kim Il Sung.

The presidential statement, adopted by consensus, does not carry the weight of a Security Council resolution, which is legally binding.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2012)