SEOUL, South Korea—North Korea hit back at U.S. criticism over its test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile this week, saying it was rightfully exercising its rights for self-defense and that the weapon doesn’t specifically target the United States. The comments by an unidentified spokesperson of the North’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday came as the U.N. Security Council was set to hold an emergency closed-door meeting over the launch at the request of the United States and the United Kingdom. Tuesday’s launch of a new ballistic missile from a submarine was the North’s first test of such weaponry in two years and the most significant demonstration of its military might since President Joe Biden took office. Washington condemned the launch, which underscored how the North continues to expand its military capabilities amid a freeze in nuclear diplomacy and called for Pyongyang to “engage in sustained and substantive dialogue.” In comments published …