US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering "utterly destroying" North Korea's nuclear sites, a senior While House adviser has said.

A source told British diplomats that America could launch pre-emptive strikes and has the firepower to smash the rogue nation's whole nuclear program, News Limited has reported.

The former official in the Bush administration, who knows of the Pentagon battle plans is quoted as saying: "Trump is pushing the Chinese hard, but in his gut he ultimately feels he will have to take a strong step himself".

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There are reports that Donald Trump is considering destroying all of North Korea's nuclear sites. Photo: AP

“There are plans to destroy the missile sites and the military have strong confidence in what they know.

“They wouldn’t launch a pre-emptive strike if there is an underground nuclear explosion but they would if the president thought they were launching an intercontinental ballistic missile.”

Earlier, a White House national security adviser said North Korea's missile test was provocative and the United States was working with its allies, including China, to develop a range of options.

"This latest missile test just fits into a pattern of provocative and destabilising and threatening behaviour on the part of the North Korean regime," HR McMaster said on ABC's "This Week" program.

"There is an international consensus now, including the Chinese leadership, that this is a situation that just cannot continue."

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Military officers marching in Pyongyang during a military parade. Photo: AP

The United States, its allies and China are working together on a range of responses to North Korea's latest attempted ballistic missile test, US President Donald Trump's national security adviser says.

"We are working together with our allies and partners and with the Chinese leadership to develop a range of options," Mr McMaster said.

He said the president had asked the national security council to integrate the efforts of the defence and state departments and US intelligence agencies to develop options if "this pattern of behaviour continues and if the North Korean regime refuses to denuclearise."

"There is an international consensus now, including the Chinese leadership, that this is a situation that just cannot continue," McMaster said.

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