In a brief statement from the White House lawn Sunday, Defence Secretary James Mattis announced that the United States does not seek the total annihilation of North Korea.

According to the Associated Press, the US Defence Chief said that the US "is not looking to the total annihilation" of North Korea, but "we have many options to do so."

The declaration came less than 24 hours after North Korea claimed a "perfect success" for its most powerful nuclear test so far, a further step in the development of weapons capable of striking anywhere in the United States.

The move provoked a strong response from US President Donald Trump, who in a series of tweets said the latest provocation from the communist country reinforces the danger facing America.