The US has warned the North Korean regime that its country would be "utterly destroyed" if war were to break out.

Hours after the isolated state's latest ballistic missile test, the US ambassador to the UN urged all countries to cut diplomatic and trade ties with Pyongyang.

At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Nikki Haley said: "We have never sought war with North Korea, and still today we do not seek it.

"If war does come, it will be because of continued acts of aggression like we witnessed yesterday.

"And if war comes, make no mistake, the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed."