The European Union on Sunday lashed North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket as "yet another outright and grave violation" of its obligations and urged Pyongyang to engage in dialogue with the international community.

"These actions represent a direct threat to international peace and security in the region and beyond, and they further aggravate tensions on the Korean Peninsula to the detriment of all," EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement.