NATO's Stoltenberg says North Korea's 'reckless behaviour' requires global response

NATO is not directly involved in the crisis, which saw Pyongyang carry out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test a week ago, but has repeatedly called on North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

"The reckless behaviour of North Korea is a global threat and requires a global response and that of course also includes NATO," NATO head Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with BBC television.

Stoltenberg declined to say whether the US territory of Guam, threatened by North Korea, was covered by NATO's Article 5, which says an attack on one member is an attack on all.

"We are now totally focused on how can we contribute to a peaceful solution of the conflict," he said.

British defence minister Michael Fallon also told the BBC military conflict should be avoided at all costs.