WASHINGTON/PYONGYANG: The United States, its allies and China are working together on a range of responses to North Korea’s latest attempted ballistic missile test, US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser said on Sunday, citing what he called an international consensus to act.

“We are working together with our allies and partners and with the Chinese leadership to develop a range of options,” national security adviser H.R. McMaster said on ABC’s “This Week” program.

“This latest missile test just fits into a pattern of provocative and destabilizing and threatening behaviour on the part of the North Korean regime,” McMaster said.

He said the president has asked the national security council to integrate the efforts of the Defence and State departments and U.S. intelligence agencies to develop options if “this pattern of behaviour continues and if the North Korean Regime refuses to denuclearize.”

“There is an international consensus now, including the Chinese leadership, that this is a situation that just cannot continue,” McMaster said.

The North Korean missile “blew up almost immediately” after its test launch on Sunday, the US Pacific Command said.

Hours later US Vice President Mike Pence landed in South Korea for talks on the North’s increasingly defiant arms program. His visit comes a day after North Korea held a grand military parade in its capital city of Pyongyang, marking the birth anniversary of the state founder. What appeared to be new long-range ballistic missiles were on display in the parade.

Tensions have been steadily rising as Trump takes a hard rhetorical line with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has rebuffed admonitions from China and proceeded with nuclear and missile programs seen by Washington as a direct threat.

Trump on Sunday acknowledged that the softer line he has taken on China’s management of its currency was linked to China’s help on the North Korea issue.—Reuters