North Korea has defended its weapons programme, saying it needs the capability to launch intercontinental missiles at the heart of the United States to prevent an invasion.

It warned that the country was ready to give the US a "severe lesson" with its strategic nuclear force if it takes military action against it, it said in a statement to a regional meeting in Manila.

In a transcript of a statement by the North's foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, Pyongyang called new UN sanctions "fabricated" and warned there would be "strong follow-up measures" and acts of justice.

"We will under no circumstances put the nukes and ballistic rockets on the negotiating table," Mr Ri said.

North Korea state broadcast: US faces 'thousands-fold' revenge following new UN sanctions

The statement said the North's intercontinental ballistic missile tests in July proved that the entire United States was in its firing range, and those missiles were a legitimate means of self-defence.

Mr Ri also said that his country has no intention of using nuclear weapons against any country "except the US".

He said the only way that would change is if another country joined in an American action against North Korea.

In pictures: North Korea military drill Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: North Korea military drill In pictures: North Korea military drill North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video

On Monday the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson held a door open for dialogue with North Korea, saying that Washington was willing to talk to Pyongyang if it halted a series of recent missile test launches.

Mr Tillerson's comments, also from Manila, were the latest US attempt to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear and missile program after months of tough talk from President Donald Trump.

"When the conditions are right, then we can sit and have a dialogue around the future of North Korea so they feel secure and prosper economically," Mr Tillerson told reporters. "The best signal that North Korea can give us that they are prepared to talk would be to stop these missile launches."

There was no direct reaction from North Korea to Mr Tillerson's remarks, but North Korea warned it would launch a "thousands-fold" revenge against the US after it introduced tough new UN sanctions.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved new penalties for the North after its recent test launches of several intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The US-drafted resolution bans North Korean exports of coal, iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood and is aimed to pressuring Pyongyang to end its nuclear programme.