"We need to redouble the pressure on North Korea," Carter stated at a press conference in Norway.
Carter noted that he spoke to his South Korean counterpart Han Min-koo about North Korea’s nuclear test.
"This nuclear test constitutes a direct challenge to the entire international community," Carter claimed. "It is another destabilizing and provocative act by North Korea."
The defense secretary underscored that China should use its influence with the North Korean government to exert pressure on Pyongyang.
"China shares important responsibility for this development, and has an important responsibility to reverse it," Carter argued.
Earlier in the day, North Korea confirmed it had carried out a nuclear test at its northeastern nuclear test site. The nuclear experiment is believed to be the fifth and largest since Pyongyang started pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
