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Former U.S. President Barack Obama's CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Monday (March 20) said China should play a more "constructive role" in dealing with North Korea, after North Korean state media announced on Sunday (March 19) its latest rocket-engine test.
Pyongyang said the test would help North Korea achieve world-class satellite-launch capability, indicating a new type of rocket engine that could be compatible with an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile).
During a Reuters interview at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, Panetta was cautious about saying what role the U.S. should play in dealing with North Korea. Panetta said the response from Washington should be "strong" but that there may be consequences to any action that would be "destabilizing" to allies Japan and South Korea.