After North Korea’s missile launches, Theresa May has refused to rule out introducing cyber attacks on the country.

May arrived in Japan Wednesday morning, after Pyongyang launched a missile that flew over Japan before landing in the Pacific on Tuesday, with a message for China’s President, XI Jinping, telling him it is his responsibility to rein in Kim Jong-un, the chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, under no uncertain terms.

She is to have lengthy discussions with Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, about what can be done to prevent the acts of provocation, over the missile launch.

May told the Telegraph: “It’s an important, long-standing relationship between the UK and Japan, they’re our closest partner in Asia and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to talk about a number of subjects – trade, of course, but also building on our defence and security co-operation.

“The actions of North Korea are illegal, they are significant actions of provocation, it’s outrageous, that’s why we will be redoubling our efforts with our international partners to put pressure on North Korea to stop these illegal activities.”

May announced that China must do “everything it can” to make North Korea refrain from firing more missiles, and refused to rule out cyber warfare.

May added: “China has a key role to play in this – I have said this to President XI and I know others have as well. We would encourage China to do everything it can to bring pressure to bear on North Korea to stop this.

“The UK is also looking at the discussion around further sanctions and the sort of change that China can bring.”

Written by Leah Alger