N. Korea says U.S. overreacting over missile test

North Korea accused the U.S. on Thursday of overreacting to its recent missile test and questioned the sincerity of an offer from Washington to talk.

This week North Korea fired a ballistic missile from a submarine into waters off the coast of Japan, sparking international alarm.

The Security Council met on Wednesday to discuss the launch at the request of the U.S. and Britain.

At the meeting, U.S. envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged Pyongyang to accept offers of talks.

"Each new advancement of the DPRK's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs destabilizes the region and threatens international peace and security."

"We have offered to meet the DPRK officials, without any preconditions, and we have made clear that we hold no hostile intent toward the DPRK."

Pyongyang hit back at those comments on Thursday.

In a statement carried by KCNA, an unnamed foreign ministry spokesperson said the missile tests were part of North Korea's efforts to bolster its defense capabilities and not aimed at the U.S.

The spokesperson went on to accuse Washington of "double standards" and cast doubt over its overtures.