North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen the testing of a new type of tactical guided weapon, state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has reported early this morning local time.

Key points: This is the first test since the failure of the US-North Korea summit in February

This is the first test since the failure of the US-North Korea summit in February It is unclear whether the weapon's range is capable of targeting the US and its allies

It is unclear whether the weapon's range is capable of targeting the US and its allies US insists it wants "a real indication" North Korea is giving up nuclear weapons

It is North Korea's first public weapons test since the second US-North Korea summit in Hanoi ended with no agreement in February.

KCNA did not describe exactly what the weapon tested on Wednesday was, including whether it was a missile or another type of weapon, but "tactical" implies a short-range weapon, as opposed to the long-range ballistic missiles that have been seen as a threat to the United States.

Nevertheless, the missile has a "peculiar mode of guiding flight" and "a powerful warhead," KCNA said in a statement released early this morning (local time).

Mr Kim said "the completion of the development of the weapon system serves as an event of very weighty significance in increasing the combat power" of the North Korean army, according to KCNA.

President Donald Trump has left open the possibility of a third summit. ( AP: Evan Vucci )

This is the first known time Mr Kim has observed the testing of a newly developed weapon system since last November, when North Korean media said he observed the successful test of an unspecified "newly developed ultramodern tactical weapon".

The announcement came after reports of new activity at a North Korean missile research centre and long-range rocket site where the North is believed to build long-range missiles targeting the US mainland.

Satellite images from last week showed movement at the Yongbyon nuclear site, which could be associated with the reprocessing of radioactive material into bomb fuel, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in the United States said.

The White House said it was aware of the report and had no comment.

The Associated Press could not immediately and independently verify North Korea's claim.

Concerns test is retaliation over failed US-North Korea summit

The news of Mr Kim's visit to the tactical weapon testing site comes after the North Korean leader visited the North Korean Air and Anti-aircraft Force on Tuesday, according to KCNA, inspecting a flight drill and expressing "great satisfaction" at their combat readiness.

Sorry, this video has expired US says North Korea wanted all sanctions dropped in exchange for denuclearisation

Some observers have been expecting North Korea to orchestrate "low-level provocations," like artillery or short-range missile tests, to register its anger over the way nuclear negotiations were going.

In April 2018, Mr Kim had said North Korea would stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles because Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities had been "verified".

US national security adviser John Bolton said in a Bloomberg News interview on Wednesday that the United States needed to see "a real indication from North Korea that they've made the strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons," before a third summit between US President Donald Trump and Mr Kim.

Reuters/AP