Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has delivered a blistering rebuke to the North Korean regime, suggesting it should spend money on the welfare of its citizens, not weapons of mass destruction.

Ms Bishop's comments come after the North Korean foreign ministry personally criticised her and warned Australia was "coming within the range of the nuclear strike".

The Foreign Minister hit back at the hermit kingdom on Sunday after its bellicose threats against Australia and its allies in the region.

"North Korea's threats of nuclear strikes against other nations further underlines the need for the regime to abandon its illegal nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs," she said.



"These present a grave threat to its neighbours and if left unchecked, to the broader region including Australia."



"The North Korean government should invest in the welfare of its long-suffering citizens, rather than weapons of mass destruction."