The US has renewed demands that all nations sever ties with North Korea as Washington again ratcheted up its rhetoric against Pyongyang, threatening that the regime would be “utterly destroyed” if war breaks out.

Pyongyang on Wednesday tested its most advanced ballistic missile so far, which it claims puts the entire US within range. The launch was hailed by Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, as the realisation of the “great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force”.

However, it sparked alarm across the globe. Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, called on countries to cut “all ties” including trade with North Korea, in response to its latest ballistic missile launch, and asked China to do more to pressure the country into abandoning its nuclear programme – including cutting off its crude oil supply.