UNITED NATIONS, July 13 (Reuters) - North Korea is set to make a rare statement during a United Nations Security Council meeting on Thursday, which was called over Pyongyang's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). North Korea requested to speak at the meeting of the 15-member body and Great Britain - as council president for July - intends to grant it, said Mungo Woodifield, spokesperson for Britain's U.N. mission in New York. The council meeting was requested by the United States, Albania, France, Japan, Malta and Britain. North Korea - formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) - has been under U.N. sanctions for its missile and nuclear programs since 2006. North Korea on Wednesday tested its latest Hwasong-18 ICBM, state media reported, saying the weapon is the core of its nuclear strike force and as a warning to the United States and other adversaries.

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Persons: Mungo Woodifield, Britain's U.N, Michelle Nichols, Mark Porter Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, United Nations Security, Democratic People's, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Great Britain, New York, United States, Albania, France, Japan, Malta, Britain, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK