The United States has hinted that it may seek unilateral sanctions to punish North Korea for its launch of a rocket last Sunday.

State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Monday that right now, the focus of attention is on trying to get a unified response from the U.N. Security Council, but that the U.S. is willing to pursue independent action on the issue.

Asked about the type of unilateral actions Washington is considering on the matter, Wood only said that related discussions are going on, but he stopped short of giving details.

Wood said the U.S. has made very clear that it wants to see a very strong, effective response coming from the Security Council, adding that the process is expected to take time.

As possible unilateral actions on the North’s rocket launch, the U.S. could further strengthen existing sanctions or seek new ones on the communist state.