Kim Jong-un orders North Korean military to strengthen strike power

North Korea's leader ordered its military to boost its strike capability as he directed another missile firing, state media said Friday as tensions grew over tests that appeared to show development of a new advanced missile system.

Kim Jong-un's call for a "full combat posture" follows the announcement the United States had seized a large North Korean cargo ship accused of illicit coal shipments in violation of United Nations sanctions last year.

The increased tensions come amid a gridlock in dialogue after the second summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed over U.S. demands for Pyongyang's nuclear disarmament and Kim's demands for relief from sanctions.

"[Kim] stressed the need to further increase the capability of the defense units in the forefront area and on the western front to carry out combat tasks and keep full combat posture to cope with any emergency," KCNA news agency reported.

He noted "genuine peace and security of the country are guaranteed only by the strong physical force capable of defending its sovereignty," KCNA said, adding he "set forth important tasks for further increasing the strike ability."

The test of two short-range missiles on Thursday and the firing of a series of projectiles on Saturday were the first missile launches by the North since an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test in November 2017.

Kim later declared the building of its nuclear force was complete, and went on to hold three summit meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and two with Trump.

Both Trump and Moon said the latest missile tests were not helpful, but suggested they would not scupper dialogue.

I know they want to negotiate, they're talking about negotiating. But I don't think they're ready to negotiate," Trump told reporters.

"They were smaller missiles, they were short-range missiles," he said. "Nobody's happy about it, but we're taking a good look and we'll see."

South Korea's Moon said Thursday the tests were likely a reaction to the failed second summit with Trump in Hanoi in February, but he thought North Korea remained hopeful of continuing negotiations.