North Korea a ‘massive threat’ as Defence Secretary says UK will step up

North Korea is on the way to developing ballistic missiles that could strike London, the Defence Secretary said as he branded the country a “massive threat”.

Gavin Williamson declared the nation as a “real danger” to Britain during a period of heightened nuclear tensions arising from North Korea’s military tests. Pressed on whether the UK is making preparations, Mr Williamson said Britain has to “step up”.

US President Donald Trump has already made it clear that America is ready to deal with North Korea if necessary,

“North Korea is a massive threat, they’re a real danger to this country,” Mr Williamson said.

“They are currently on the pathway to have ballistic missiles that could strike London.

“This isn’t just a problem for the United States. This is a globalproblem. britain has to step up in terms of dealing with it. There are threats emerging right around the world.

“Britain is global player, it is a world player. We will never hesitate to deal with aggression and threats and that is what we have been known for doing in the past and that is what we continue to do.” Mr Trump on Monday unveiled a new US national security strategy, which includes strengthening the country’s cyber defence capabilities.

America has publicly blamed North Korea for the Wannacry cyber attack that hit the NHS and networks around the world.

The us president’ s homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert, wrote in the Wall Street Journal that North Korea was “directly responsible” for the ransomware attack.

Kim Jong Un’s regime has, in recent months, carried out several increasingly sophisticated nuclear tests.

It has also expanded its missile programme to include weapons allegedly capable of striking parts of the US.

Mr Trump has previously ridiculed Mr Kim as Rocket Man and warned North Korea he will take all measures needed to stop the programme.

Former chief whip Mr Williamson said the UK was working with its allies and was “always planning for the worst and hoping for the best”.

“We have got HMS Argyll, HMS Sutherland going up to the region to do operations with our allies,” he said.

“That is something I am very proud that we are doing and we are going to continue to do.”

Mr Williamson would not confirm whether there was an evacuation plan for British citizens in the South Korean capital of Seoul.