The U.S. House of Representatives voted nearly unanimously to pass legislation to broaden sanctions over North Korea's nuclear program, while South Korea called on China to play a key role in the response to the North's nuclear test last week.
Last week's nuclear test was North Korea's fourth, although the United States and experts doubt the North's claim that it was of a more powerful hydrogen bomb, as the blast was about the same size as that from an atomic bomb test in 2013.
"I am certain that China is very well aware if such a strong will isn't followed by necessary steps, we will not be able to stop the North's fifth and sixth nuclear tests and we cannot guarantee true peace and stability of the Korean peninsula," Park said in a televised speech.
While China last week urged North Korea to stick to its denuclearization pledges and avoid action that would make the situation worse, it also said it did not hold the key to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.