UNITED STATES — North Korea’s latest missile test has prompted sharp criticism from world leaders.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the test and urged Pyongyang to “desist taking any further destabilizing steps.”

“This is a clear violation of Security Council resolutions and shows complete disregard for the united view of the international community,” Guterres said in a statement.

Trump was opaque in his immediate response, as the UN Security Council agreed to meet in an emergency session.

“I will only tell you that we will take care of it,” Trump said at the White House. “It is a situation that we will handle,” he added, without elaborating.

Russia called the launch “provocative” and China, North Korea’s sole major ally and diplomatic protector expressed “grave concern and opposition”.

US Vice President Mike Pence is warning North Korea not to test President Donald Trump’s resolve.

Pence says Pyongyang would do well “not to test the resolve of this president or the capabilities of the armed forces of the United States of America.”

He adds that “all options” remain on the table.

Meanwhile, Russia has called N. Korea’s missile test a “provocative action” that will lead to further tensions, the Kremlin said, appealing for calm on all sides.

“Undoubtedly, another missile launch is a provocative action that provokes a further increase of tensions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

“We condemn this launch and hope that all relevant sides remain calm, which is necessary to keep the situation on the Korean peninsula from following the worst scenario,” he said.

China’s foreign ministry says the country is “seriously concerned about and opposed to” North Korea’s latest missile test.

Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Wednesday that China “strongly urges” the North to abide by Security Council resolutions and cease actions that might escalate tensions.

Geng told reporters at a daily news briefing that all concerned parties should “act with caution and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability,”

China is North Korea’s only significant ally and biggest source of trade and aid, but has backed increasingly harsh UN Security Council resolutions in hopes of convincing Pyongyang to return to talks.

However, Beijing has rejected measures that could destabilize Kim Jong Un’s regime and says military force is cannot be an option in dealing with the tensions.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has spoken with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over North Korea’s latest test of an intercontinental ballistic missile and pledged joint efforts to strengthen sanctions and pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear ambitions.

Angered by the missile launch, Germany summoned North Korea’s ambassador.

“North Korea has again breached international law. North Korea’s ruthless behavior poses a huge threat to international security,” Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Wednesday in a statement.

Philippines also expressed serious concern and called on Pyongyang to commit to making meaningful progress toward peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said, “Meaningful dialogue can only happen when the DPRK ceases such provocative and highly dangerous actions.” The abbreviation refers to North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. — Agencies