North Korea missiles 'could soon reach Europe'

North Korea's missiles could reach Europe sooner than expected, France's defence minister has said.

Florence Parly made the revelation in a speech to the French military.

"The scenario of an escalation towards a major conflict cannot be discarded," she added.

It comes as Theresa May and US president Donald Trump urged China to use all its influence to ensure North Korea ends its "illegal acts" as the crisis over the rogue state's latest nuclear test continued to dominate international affairs.

The Prime Minister and Mr Trump discussed the situation by telephone and agreed to put more economic pressure on the Kim Jong-un regime.

Theresa May has urged China to use all its influence to stop North Korea's 'illegal acts'. Credit: PA

A Downing Street spokesman said: "Mrs May said Britain would work with the US and international partners to continue to exert economic pressure on North Korea through further measures including sanctions.

"The Prime Minister noted the importance of the UN Security Council continuing to present a strong and unified international voice by reaching swift agreement on new measures.

"The Prime Minister said she would also work with EU leaders on further measures the EU could take to pressure the North Korean regime."

Donald Trump has already said the US is ready to defend itself against North Korea. Credit: PA

Downing Street has stressed Britain's "overwhelming" preference for a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

Meanwhile Mr Trump tweeted he was allowing South Korea and Japan to buy "sophisticated" military hardware from the US.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson makes a statement in the House of Commons. Credit: PA

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also called on China to end the "grave crisis".

He said: "China, which accounts for 90% of North Korea's overseas trade, has a unique ability to influence the regime.

"The House (Commons) can take heart from the fact that Beijing voted in favour of the latest sanctions resolution and condemned Pyongyang's actions in the most unsparing terms.

Mr Johnson said Pyongyang's latest nuclear test was a matter of global concern.

Commending the "dignity and restraint" shown by South Korea and Japan despite both countries being "in the firing line of Pyongyang's reckless ambitions", he said there had been a "steady drumbeat of provocative and dangerous actions by Kim Jong-un's regime".

Mr Johnson's comments came after North Korea's ambassador in London, Choe Il, was summoned to the Foreign Office for a dressing down from Asia minister Mark Field.