North Korea says the launch successfully put a scientific satellite in orbit and insists that the mission was not an intercontinental ballistic missile test banned under UN Security Council sanctions.
"The launch… constitutes a clear violation of the Security Council resolutions," said foreign ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot.
"France will support firm action by the Security Council and will work toward this end with its partners," he said.
North Korea is banned from carrying out missile tests under UN resolutions triggered by its two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.
France and Estonia are the only two European Union countries not to have diplomatic ties with North Korea.
Member comments