World on the brink as UK issues North Korea warning after ballistic missiles fired

The UK has issued North Korea a stark warning after Pyongyang launched its latest round of ballistic missiles in an attempt to intimidate South Korea.

Following yesterday's test, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 30 May are another breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs).

"Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

"The UK strongly urges North Korea to stop such provocations, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation."

According to South Korea's military, Kim Jong-Un's regime launched more missiles into the sea to the east of it, having already conducted several such barrages this month.

The authoritarian state branded its southern neighbour a "gangsters' regime", with state news outlet KCNA claiming that the launch was a retaliation for "an intolerably hideous act of provocation".

In total, it was reported that 18 "super-large" missiles were fired at an unspecified target 230 miles away.

The KCNA report added: "The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un directly gave the order to organise the power demonstration firing and oversaw it on the spot."

North Korea's test comes days after a failed satellite launch. Kim Jong-Un had wanted to launch a second reconnaissance satellite, but it exploded in mid-air, in an embarrassing episode for Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, North Korea launched balloons filled with rubbish over the South Korean border, in retaliation against South Korean activists sending anti-North Korea propaganda over the border.

Tensions continue to simmer, as Seoul conducts military exercises with the United States and Japan.