North Korea says it has conducted a new test at its missile launch site, ramping up international tensions just weeks before its promised “Christmas gift” for the United States.

Through its state news agency, the regime announced it had completed another “crucial test” at its long-range rocket facility in Sohae.

It is not clear what exactly was tested, but experts believe North Korea is trying to develop the capacity for rockets which could carry nuclear payloads as far as the US.

A senior North Korean military leader said recent test aimed to subdue nuclear threats from the US, state media reported on Saturday.

Chief of the General Staff Pak Jong Chon warned that "hostile forces", including America, should not provoke his nation if they wanted to see a peaceful New Year.

North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits Show all 16 1 /16 North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits In the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, portraits of former supreme leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are required by law to be hung in the home, the classroom, the factory and all manner of other private and public places Reuters North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits In the classroom AFP/Getty North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits In the living room AFP/Getty North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits In the maternity ward of the hospital Alamy North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits On board the ship Reuters North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits At the ballot box Mannen av börd North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits In the office AFP/Getty North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits On the bridegroom Reuters North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits On the Pyongyang subway Reuters North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits On a government building Reuters North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits In the teacher training facility AFP/Getty North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits In Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang Reuters North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits In the home AFP/Getty North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits At the military parade Reuters North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits In the hall Reuters North Korea's pervasive leaders: the Kim portraits At the Chinese border AFP/Getty

Earlier this month, Kim Jong-un’s administration issued a veiled threat about Christmas “gifts”, demanding the Americans offer substantial sanctions relief by 31 December. If not, the country will walk away from denuclearisation talks.

“The dialogue touted by the US is, in essence, nothing but a foolish trick hatched to keep the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea bound to dialogue,” a senior official said.

“What is left to be done now is the US option and it is entirely up to the US what Christmas gift it will select to get.”

A spokesperson was quoted on Saturday as saying the latest successful test “will be applied to further bolster up the reliable strategic nuclear deterrent of the DPRK”.

North Korea has carried out several short-range missile tests in recent months, as negotiations with America have floundered.

The reclusive dictatorship has a history of calling its missile tests “gifts”. After it first tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in July 2017 Mr Kim referred to the weapon as a “package of gifts” in time for America’s Fourth of July celebrations.

But in 2018 the two sides met face to face at several summits and North Korea stopped testing longer-range rockets which could reach American soil.

Analysts fear the latest test at Sohae could be a precursor to restarting these more provocative launches if North Korea decides it will not be given the sanctions relief it wants from the current talks.

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On Wednesday the US Ambassador to the UN, Kelly Craft, told a UN Security Council meeting North Korea’s actions were “deeply counterproductive” and could end all hopes for a peace deal.