The U.S. says that North Korea's short-range missile launches are nothing new and its focus is on the implementation of a U.N. Security Council resolution against the reclusive state.

Passed on June 13th, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 seeks further sanctions on the North for its nuclear test in May and bans the communist country from conducting additional nuclear or ballistic missile tests.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told a briefing that the seven missile launches on July fourth are provocative but nothing new.

He called on the North to avoid future provocations, which he said heighten tensions and undermine stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asia region.

Kelly added that Washington is focused on implementing U.N. resolutions against Pyongyang.