North Korea has announced the capability to "confound" air defences of South Korea and Japan with a new cruise missile, South Asia Times correspondent Andrew Salmon has warned. He stressed how Kim Jong-un's regime may opt to install small nuclear warheads on the new weapons systems in a move that would spark an "extraordinary new problem" for military commanders in Tokyo and Seoul.

       Mr Salmon told France 24: "The point is this was not a ballistic missile which is the kind of long-range missile that goes up and comes down in a parabella.

       "And that kind of missile is banned by the UN; North Korea is not allowed to own or test those kinds of missiles.

       "This was a cruise missile which is generally a short-range missile, moves on a flat trajectory and is normally used against tactical targets, and North Korea is not banned form owning or testing this type of missile.

       "However, in-state media North Korea made clear that this is a new strategic weapon which raises the possibility that North Korea could mount a small nuclear warhead on this kind of small tactical missile."

       "And, if that is the case, it will present an extraordinary new problem that can feasibly confound the air defence planners in both Japan and South Korea.

       "We have also heard from an unconfirmed media source in Seoul today that these missile tests, which were launched in North Korea on Saturday and Sunday, were not picked up by either American or South Korean detection devices."

       In response to the development in North Korean missile technology, the commander of US Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), said: "I'm ready 24/7, 365 (days).

       “If North Korea decides to launch a ballistic missile, I'm confident in our capabilities.

       "For NORAD that's threat warning and attack assessment.

       "For NORTHCOM, ballistic missile defense capability."

       He added: "We continue to be ready to respond should North Korea elect to launch a missile."

       It is believed the launch was witnessed by top scientists and regime officials from the Worker's Party of Korea.

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       "The launched long-range cruise missiles flew 7,580 seconds along the elliptical and figure-eight flight trajectories set over the territory and territorial waters of our country, and hit the target at 1,500 km of the mooring line," said the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

       US officials are reportedly coordinating with their counterparts in Japan and South Korea to minimize the new threat.

       The US military's Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) has said it is aware of the reports.

       INDOPACOM said in a statement: “This activity highlights (North Korea's) continuing focus on developing its military program and the threats that poses to its neighbours and the international community