REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NEW YORK -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday that countries need to unite to enforce sanctions and apply pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile programs.

"Now is not the time for dialogue. Now is the time to apply pressure," Abe told a gathering of investors at the New York Stock Exchange, ahead of a scheduled address at the annual United Nations General Assembly.

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned North Korea in his speech to the U.N. that the United States would "totally destroy" the country if threatened.

In contrast, Japan's Asian rival China, and Russia, have called repeatedly for a return to international diplomacy and talks with North Korea to resolve the crisis over Pyongyang's weapons programs.