Donald Trump blames North Korea nuke test on Hillary Clinton’s failures

WASHINGTON – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump used the recent North Korean nuclear test to attack Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, describing the situation as “one more massive failure from a failed secretary of state.”

Trump also suggested Clinton and others are wrong to outline their national security policies, because doing so could help the nation’s enemies. “Maybe we shouldn’t be so honest when it comes to military strategy,” he said.

Clinton said the United States would not let North Korea pursue a nuclear weapon and said that as president, she would seek new sanctions in addition to those endorsed by the Obama administration and adopted earlier in the year with the United Nations. She added she would back allies in the region, including South Korea and Japan.

READ MORE: North Korea nuke test: What can be done to stop Kim Jong-un?

But she also said she would support the kind of negotiations that a group of countries engaged in with Iran over its nuclear program, because sanctions “aren’t enough.” The U.S. must ensure China applies increasing pressure on North Korea, too.

“North Korea poses a threat to the region and poses a threat to the kind of stable border relationship that China has always valued with North Korea,” she said.

The development in North Korea comes at the end of a week in which Trump and Clinton clashed repeatedly over national security.

The New York billionaire attacked Clinton’s record as the nation’s chief diplomat, yet he faced criticism from within his own party for refusing to outline his plans for combating foreign policy challenges, including threats posed by the Islamic State group. Trump said this week that he does indeed have a plan, but would convene military leaders in his first 30 days in office to craft another plan.

Trump has also faced criticism for praising Russian President Vladimir Putin during a high-profile national security forum earlier in the week, and appearing on a Russian-backed television network Thursday evening.

WATCH: North Korea announces successful 5th nuclear weapons test

0:47 North Korea announces successful 5th nuclear weapons test