President Barack Obama said there's a need for "further swift and credible action by the international community," after Tuesday's nuclear test by North Korea.

He called the test a "highly provocative act."

"The United States will also continue to take steps necessary to defend ourselves and our allies," the president said.

"The United States remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and steadfast in our defense commitments to allies in the region," he added.

What will it take to deter North Korea from nuclear ambitions? Dr. Paul Bonicelli, a former administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development under President George W. Bush, explains more, on CBN Newswatch, Feb. 11.

The White House statement was released early Tuesday morning after North Korea detonated a nuclear device underground, its third nuclear test.

The move could take the regime closer to building a nuclear bomb small enough to be fitted on a missle that could reach the United States. It defies U.N. Security Council orders to shut down atomic activity or face more sanctions and international isolation.

North Korea said the nuclear test was merely its "first response" to what it called U.S. threats.

The U.N. Security Council will meet in an emergency session Tuesday morning.