The United Nations Security Council has held an emergency meeting about North Korea's latest ballistic missile launches. Most of the member nations are standing united, but Russia and China continue to block any strong response.

Pyongyang has launched at least three ballistic missiles over the past few days. The two short-range ballistic missiles fired on Monday were the latest. On Saturday, a launched ICBM fell into waters within Japan's exclusive economic zone.

During Monday's emergency meeting, member nations criticized North Korea for launching the missiles in violation of Security Council resolutions.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, "The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the DPRK's February 18 and February 19 launches of three ballistic missiles."

She also said, "Those who shield the DPRK from the consequences of its escalatory missile tests put the Asian region and entire world at risk of conflict."

China and Russia have divided the Security Council by blocking attempts to expand the sanctions against Pyongyang. They have instead accused the US of heightening tensions around the Korean Peninsula.

Eleven countries issued a joint statement. Security Council members Japan, the US and Britain were among the eleven. The statement notes that North Korea has been emboldened by the Council's silence. It stresses that the members must act now.

Japan's ambassador Ishikane Kimihiro echoed those strong concerns. Ishikane said, "A considerable number of Security Council members have mentioned the need for a unified message on North Korea."

Ishikane added that Japan's delegation will do its utmost to enable the Security Council to send a unified message.