A nuclear attack on the US or its allies would lead to Kim Jong-un being wiped out, American officials have warned.
US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has issued a stark warning to Kim Jong-un after his regime conducted a series of missile tests in recent days.
Three intercontinental ballistic missiles were fired on Thursday and flew 460 miles, reaching a maximum altitude of 1,200 miles, according to Japanese defence minister Yasukazu Hamada.
Mr Hamada said the missile “disappeared” over the sea of Japan after they were fired between 7.30am and 9am local time.
Emergency alarms were activated to advise residents to stay indoors in Miyagi, Yamagata and Niigata as fears grew one of the missiles could land in the area.
Public transport was temporarily stopped and trains were brought to a standstill as Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida slammed the missile attacks.
He said they were “outrageous and absolutely intolerable" and immediately criticised Kim for his reckless and dangerous actions.
It led to the US Department of Defence, during a meeting with South Korean defence minister, Lee Jong-sup, to warn of the dire consequences if a nuclear attack was launched against the US or its allies.
Mr Austin said: “Any nuclear attack against the United States or its allies and partners, including the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, is unacceptable and will result in the end of the Kim regime.”
The US released their National Defence Strategy document this week which echoed Mr Austin's statement and said there is no scenario in which Kim Jong-Un used nuclear weapons and would survive.
An extract of the document said: “Our strategy for North Korea recognises the threat posed by its nuclear, chemical, missile and conventional capabilities.
"And in particular the need to make clear to the Kim regime the dire consequences should it use nuclear weapons … there is no scenario in which the Kim regime could employ nuclear weapons and survive.”
The US defence secretary, a retired US army general, said during the press conference he remains fully committed to the defence of South Korea.
He said: “Minister Lee and I had an outstanding discussion today. We talked about how the DPRK [North Korea] has continued provocations and destabilising actions, and at this time of heightened tension, our alliance is ironclad.
"The United States remains fully committed to the defence [of South Korea]. Our extended deterrence commitment is firm and includes a full range of our nuclear and conventional and missile defence capabilities.”
Mr Austin added the pair agreed for the two countries to return to having huge military exercises on the peninsula and added Joe Biden's administration remains committed to strengthening their relationship.
