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Britain must “step up” to deal with North Korea as it is on the path to developing missiles that could strike London, the Defence Secretary warned today.

In an exclusive interview with the Standard, Gavin Williamson stressed that the pariah regime was a “massive threat” and a “real danger” to the UK.

Britain would “never hesitate to deal with aggression and threats”, he added. Two Royal Navy warships are heading to join operations with the American fleet and other allies in the region.

Hours after Donald Trump warned of the “nuclear menace” posed by the East Asian country’s supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, Mr Williamson said: “North Korea is a massive threat. They are a real danger to this country. They are currently on the pathway to have ballistic missiles that could strike London.

“This is not just a problem for the United States. This is a global problem. Britain has to step up in terms of dealing with it.

“There are threats emerging right around the world. Britain is a global player, it’s a world player. We will never hesitate to deal with aggression and threats.”

Pressed on whether Britain is making preparations to join America in dealing with North Korea, the Cabinet minister, who has had a rapid rise through the political ranks since becoming an MP in 2010, added: “We are always planning for the worst and hoping for the best. We are working with all our allies in the region to make sure that we continue to put pressure on North Korea.

“We’ve got HMS Argyll, HMS Sutherland going to the region to do operations with our allies.”

US scientists estimate that North Korea’s latest missile, tested last month, could have flown 13,000 kilometres, or 8,000 miles.

London is about 5,400 miles from Pyongyang, which is working on developing the technology to put nuclear warheads on its long-range missiles.

North Korea: Ballistic Missile Test - In pictures 19 show all North Korea: Ballistic Missile Test - In pictures 1/19 People watch reports about the launch of the short-range ballistic missiles Getty Images 2/19 North Korean government shows a test of a missile launch in North Korea AP 3/19 North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watching through binoculars as a new-type of tactical guided short-range missile is launched at an undisclosed location in North Korea AFP/Getty Images 4/19 A test of a missile launch in North Korea AP 5/19 People watch a TV showing images of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea AP 6/19 A man watches a news report about the North Korea missile launch EPA 7/19 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a missile test in North Kore AP 8/19 Kim Jong-Un admires the launching of the Hwasong-15 missile AFP/Getty Images 9/19 The new missile is thought to be capable of reaching anywhere on the US mainland AFP/Getty Images 10/19 Missile: the Hwasong-15 missile which is capable of reaching all parts of the US AFP/Getty Images 11/19 AFP/Getty Images 12/19 AP 13/19 14/19 AFP/Getty Images 15/19 Missile test: The launch AFP/Getty Images 16/19 AFP/Getty Images 17/19 Rocket power: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pictured giving an order to test-fire the newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-15 EPA 18/19 The Hwasong-15 missile was launched in the early hours of Wednesday AFP/Getty Images 19/19 1/19 People watch reports about the launch of the short-range ballistic missiles Getty Images 2/19 North Korean government shows a test of a missile launch in North Korea AP 3/19 North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watching through binoculars as a new-type of tactical guided short-range missile is launched at an undisclosed location in North Korea AFP/Getty Images 4/19 A test of a missile launch in North Korea AP 5/19 People watch a TV showing images of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea AP 6/19 A man watches a news report about the North Korea missile launch EPA 7/19 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a missile test in North Kore AP 8/19 Kim Jong-Un admires the launching of the Hwasong-15 missile AFP/Getty Images 9/19 The new missile is thought to be capable of reaching anywhere on the US mainland AFP/Getty Images 10/19 Missile: the Hwasong-15 missile which is capable of reaching all parts of the US AFP/Getty Images 11/19 AFP/Getty Images 12/19 AP 13/19 14/19 AFP/Getty Images 15/19 Missile test: The launch AFP/Getty Images 16/19 AFP/Getty Images 17/19 Rocket power: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pictured giving an order to test-fire the newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-15 EPA 18/19 The Hwasong-15 missile was launched in the early hours of Wednesday AFP/Getty Images 19/19

However, the more immediate threat from North Korea is to South Korea and Japan. Hours before Mr Williamson spoke, the US national security adviser, HR McMaster, said America had “to be prepared, if necessary, to compel the denuclearisation of North Korea”, with or without its co-operation.

In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Williamson also spoke about how Britain’s armed forces are ready to respond to a terrorist attack in London or other parts of the UK during the festive season.

After speaking to troops of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment — who will be on duty over the Christmas period — in Horse Guards in Whitehall, Mr Williamson said: “The simple reality is, terrorism never sleeps. It does not take holidays, it does not respect Christmas.

“That’s why our armed forces are doing such an important job in remaining constantly vigilant.

“We are there to support the police and the intelligence services in making sure that we do everything to combat any threat.

“But if in the dreadful situation that an event does occur, we are there to support them every step of the way in making sure that the British people are kept safe, with the fantastic work that our armed forces do.

“They make the British people an awful lot more safe than they would otherwise be.”

Amid the heightened tensions, Washington has also publicly blamed North Korea for a cyber attack in May that infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide and crippled parts of the NHS.

Just weeks ago, Pyongyang reignited tensions by resuming its missile tests, firing what it claimed was a type of intercontinental ballistic missile. It was said to be a Hwasong-15 and appeared to be a more advanced version of one launched in July.

In defiance of UN Security Council resolutions and international condemnation, including from its lone major ally, China, Kim’s regime boasted about developing a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and reaching mainland America.

After the launch, a regime statement quoted Kim as saying: “Now we have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power.”

The dictator, who is in his early thirties, came to power in 2011 following the death of his father Kim Jong-il. Diplomats fear that an accident during his weapons testing could trigger military conflict.

Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea urged China to do more to “pressure” the rogue regime to end its nuclear and missile programmes.

After holding talks with his South Korean counterpart, Kang Kyung-wha, Japan’s foreign minister Taro Kono said: “China is currently implementing the United Nations Security Council resolutions but China can probably do more.

“We agreed on the need to put pressure firmly on North Korea.”