Gillard calls rocket launch 'provocative and irresponsible'

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has condemned North Korea's strongest display of its military in months, after the dictatorial regime launched a long range rocket on Wednesday.

Ms Gillard released a statement on Wednesday which said the launch of the rocket, which was fired over the Japanese Okinawa islands, was a "provocative and irresponsible act".

She said the testing of such rockets by North Korea threatened the stability and security of the region, and it defied the will of the international community.

After recently securing a temporary seat at the United Nations Security Council, Ms Gillard also called for an urgent meeting of the council to "respond firmly".