Bangkok: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has pleaded with the United States to show restraint towards North Korea, saying its leader Kim Jong-un "wants to end the world".

Speaking on behalf of the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr Duterte warned that one miscalculated missile, nuclear warhead or bomb would cause a "catastrophe" and Asia would be the first victim.

"The guy [Mr Kim] simply wants to end the world, that is why he is very happy. He is always smiling. But he really wants to finish everything and he wants to drag us all down," Mr Duterte said after a two-day summit of ASEAN leaders in Manila.

Mr Duterte said he would convey the regional bloc's "extreme concerns" to US President Donald Trump, cautioning that as a responsible nation the US should not rise to Mr Kim's provocations.