"In addition to additional sanctions, there may be pressure that the President threaten military response [against North Korea]," Ward said on Friday.
Ward noted that the United States and international response will be swift in terms of tightening sanctions on North Korea.
Such a test launch, he added, could force China to react against North Korea or risk damaging relations with the United States.
On January 6, Pyongyang announced it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, a move which triggered condemnation from the United States that characterized it as a provocative move destabilizing the region.
The Defense Trade Advisory Group, established by an act of the US Congress, is comprised of private sector experts appointed by the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs to advise the Department of State on international defense-related trade issues.
