The U.S. and its allies denounced North Korea’s launch of a new hypersonic ballistic missile during a U.N. Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Wednesday, prompting the DPRK to reassert its right to self-defense against “nuclear-based” enemies.

During a meeting to discuss Pyongyang’s test on Monday of the new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM), U.S. Deputy Representative Dorothy Shea criticized the DPRK for carrying out over 100 “unlawful ballistic missile launches” over the past three years.

“The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the DPRK’s Jan. 6 launch of an intermediate range ballistic missile in direct violation of multiple