Pentagon chief Ashton Carter on Thursday decried North Korea's latest missile test and again vowed an "overwhelming" response if Pyongyang were ever to launch a nuclear weapon.

North Korea on Thursday -- Wednesday in the United States -- conducted what appeared to be a failed test of a powerful medium-range missile that experts warn could be deployed as early as next year.

"We strongly condemn last night's attempt, which even in failing, violated several UN Security Council resolutions," Carter said at a joint press conference with his South Korean counterpart, Han Min-Koo.

Carter went on to repeat a pledge he and Secretary of State John Kerry had made in Washington on Wednesday, ahead of the most recent missile test.

More at AFP.