"France condemns the missile tests carried out by North Korea on Saturday July 4, which undermine regional security and stability and constitute a violation of (UN) Security Council resolutions 1718 and 1874.

"It calls on North Korea to refrain from any further provocation and to implement without delay the Security Council resolutions," a ministry spokesman said.

North Korea test-fired seven missiles off its east coast on Saturday, South Korean officials said, in an act of defiance apparently timed for the US Independence Day holiday.

The launches further fuelled regional tensions after the isolated communist state's nuclear test in May, which coincided with the US Memorial Day holiday.

They came as Washington seeks support for tough enforcement of United Nations sanctions aimed at shutting down the North's nuclear and missile programmes.

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