The foreign affairs chiefs of the Group of Seven nations say they "condemn in the strongest terms" North Korea's latest launch that used ballistic missile technology.

The G7 diplomats issued a joint statement after North Korea carried out the launch from its northwestern area early Thursday morning. Pyongyang said its second attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite had ended in failure.

The ministers say the launch represents a "clear, flagrant violation" of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and "poses a grave threat to regional and international peace and stability."

The officials demand North Korea abandon its nuclear and missile programs "in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner."

They urge Pyongyang to fully comply with all obligations under the relevant UNSC resolutions.

The ministers also call on North Korea to accept the repeated offers of unconditional dialogue put forward by Japan, the United States and South Korea.