It was "made clear" to the ambassador that the nuclear test was "a blatant breach of international law," the office of Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in a statement.

"In accordance with the declaration of the United Nations Security Council Germany will push for further measures against the North Korean atomic programme," the statement added.

North Korea alarmed friends and foes alike on Tuesday when it carried out its latest nuclear test, which US and South Korean monitors said was much more powerful than the previous tests in 2006 and 2009.

In an emergency session, the Security Council said the pariah state was in "grave violation" of UN resolutions.

All 15 Council members including China backed Tuesday's UN statement and said they would "begin work immediately on appropriate measures".