The United States is likely to take a more hard-lined stance regarding North Korea after Pyongyang fired a long-range missile despite criticism from the international community.

According to the Washington Post, Washington is expected to halt talks with the North until the end of this year and after the U.S. presidential elections.

President Barack Obama is expected to come under pressure from the Republican Party after high-level talks between the U.S. and North Korea broke a few weeks after coming to an agreement.