Friday's launch was part of the North's ongoing barrage of missile tests that are seen as an attempt to expand its weapons arsenal.

'All-out confrontation'

Some foreign experts said the Hwasong-17 missile is still under development, but is the North's longest-range ballistic weapon designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads to defeat US missile defence systems.

The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the missile fired from Pyongyang International Airport travelled up to a maximum altitude of about 6,040km (3,750 miles) and flew a distance of about 1,000km (620 miles) before it landed in international waters off the country's east coast. 

Pic: KCNA/Reuters© Reuters

"The test-fire clearly proved the reliability of the new major strategic weapon system to be representative of (North Korea's) strategic forces and its powerful combat performance as the strongest strategic weapon in the world," KCNA said.

"Kim Jong Un solemnly declared that if the enemies continue to pose threats to [North Korea], frequently introducing nuclear strike means, our party and government will resolutely react to nukes with nuclear weapons and to total confrontation with all-out confrontation," KCNA said.

Mr Kim's statement suggests North Korea will continue its weapons testing activities as the US continues to bolster its security commitment to its allies South Korea and Japan.

There are concerns that, in coming weeks, North Korea could conduct its first nuclear test for five years.