"A drill of launching ICBM Hwasongpho-18 was staged as an important military action to clearly show the DPRK's nuclear strategic forces' overwhelming counteraction will and matchless strength to the enemies," KCNA news agency said of the Monday launch, using the acronym of the North's official name.

Kim said the launch sent a "clear signal to the hostile forces" and "set forth some important new tasks for the development of the DPRK's nuclear strategic forces," it added.

South Korea's military on Monday said the North had fired an ICBM that used solid fuel, which makes missiles easier to transport and faster to fire than liquid-fuelled versions.

Monday's launch was the third time the North had tested a solid-fuel ICBM, after launches in April and July, which analysts said signalled consistent efforts to improve the technology.

It followed a meeting between the United States and South Korea on Friday in Washington, where they discussed nuclear deterrence in the event of conflict with the North.

On Saturday, the allies warned that any nuclear attack from Pyongyang on the United States and South Korea would result in the end of the North Korean regime.