SINGAPORE - Singapore on Sunday (Feb 7) afternoon said it was "appalled" by North Korea's rocket launch, calling it "deliberate and provocative".

In a statement, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman said the launch was yet another violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which prohibited the country from any launch using ballistic missle technology.

"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) proceeded with the rocket launch on Feb 7, 2016, in defiance of calls by the international community to avoid such dangerous and destabilising action," the spokesman said.

"The latest launch, and the nuclear test on Jan 6, 2016, represent grave threats to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

"We strongly urge the DPRK government to refrain from further provocation, abide by its international obligations, and return to negotiations immediately."

The launch comes a month after North Korea's announcement on Jan 6 that it had successfully tested a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear bomb.

Back then, Singapore had also issued its response to the test, saying it was "gravely concerned" by the "dangerous and provocative" act.