Trump calls for stronger sanctions on North Korea after missile test

US President Donald Trump is calling for tougher sanctions on North Korea following its latest ballistic missile test.

"Let this latest provocation serve as a call for all nations to implement far stronger sanctions against North Korea," the White House said in a brief statement.

The missile impacted "so close to Russian soil -– in fact, closer to Russia than to Japan -– the president cannot imagine that Russia is pleased."

North Korea "has been a flagrant menace for far too long," the statement read. "South Korea and Japan have been watching this situation closely with us."

The statement emphasises that the United States "maintains our ironclad commitment to stand with our allies in the face of the serious threat posed by North Korea." 

(AFP)