The five-nation BRICS grouping said Monday it "strongly deplores" North Korea's latest nuclear test, adding to global condemnation of Pyongyang.

"We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK (North Korea)," Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa said in a joint statement from their annual summit.

"We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and emphasise that it should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned