US President Barack Obama urged China to put more pressure on North Korea in the wake of the recent submarine-launched missile conducted by Pyongyang last week, raising tensions in the peninsula.

Last Sunday, Obama called on Beijing to do more in reining in North Korea after the latter's "provocative" weapons test amid the standing sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council against the isolated state.

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"North Korea continues to engage in continuous provocative behaviour," Obama said during an interview at the Hanover Trade Fair in Germany.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un hailed his latest ballistic missile test as an "eye-opening success."

Disappointment

Obama expressed disappointment over China's efforts in dealing with Pyongyang saying that more measures have to be done for the North to halt its nuclear tests and abandon its nuclear programme.

"We have cultivated cooperation with the Chinese to put pressure on North Korea. Although it is not where we would completely like it to be," Obama pointed out.

Hours after the missile launch, Kim Jong-Un announced that it will unilaterally halt its nuclear tests in the peninsula provided the US will suspend its annual military war games with Seoul.

Lies and deceit

But Obama dismissed the North's offer saying that such a promise must not be taken seriously given Pyongyang's penchant for lies and deceit.

"We don't take seriously a promise to simply halt until the next time they decide to do a test," the US president said.

Obama emphasized that the US will deal with the North only when it is clear that the isolated state has shown a willingness to abandon its nuclear programme.

Military authorities and South Korea are preparing for a possible fifth nuclear test by Pyongyang as a show of force and defiance ahead of the ruling party congress, the first in 36 years, that is slated to convene next month. 

TagsNorth Korea, President Barack Obama, missile tests, nuclear programme, Kim Jong Un, Seoul, ruling party congress, military war games, china