Seoul - North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un said at a military parade that displayed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), that his country will speed up development of its nuclear weaponry, state media reported on Tuesday.

The military parade occurred on Monday during celebrations for the founding anniversary of North Korea's armed forces, state news agency KCNA said.

"The nuclear force of the Republic must be ready to exercise its responsible mission and unique deterrence anytime," Kim told the gathering, according to KCNA.

The parade featured North Korea's largest ICBM, the Hwasong-17, KCNA reported. The massive missile was test fired for the first time last month, but officials in South Korea believe efforts to conduct a full test ended in an explosion over Pyongyang.

Pyongyang has stepped up weapons tests and displays of military power amid stalled denuclearisation talks with the United States and an incoming conservative administration in South Korea.
-Reuters