Speaking at Canada’s 20-nation talks on North Korea Tillerson vowed to make Kim Jong-un pay for his regime’s behaviour.

Tillerson said: “I think we all need to be very sober and clear-eyed about the current situation, as North Korea has continued to make significant advances in both its nuclear weapons, the lethality of those weapons, as demonstrated by their last thermonuclear test, as well as the continued progress they've made in their intercontinental ballistic missile systems.

“We have to recognise that that threat is growing. And if North Korea does not choose the path of engagement, discussion, negotiation, then they themselves will trigger an option.”

The Secretary of State was asked about the possibility of a limited, targeted military strike against North Korea designed to cripple its nuclear weapons before they are able to perfect their missile technology.

He refused to speak on the topic insisting he would not speak on undecided issues.

The Secretary of State said: ”We must increase the costs of the regime's behaviour to the point that North Korea must come to the table for credible negotiations.”

US allies were called on by Tillerson to be “resolute” that Kim Jong-un’s regime must never become a nuclear power.

His Japanese counterpart warned other nations not to be taken in by the criminal regime’s “charm offensive” as it makes progress in groundbreaking talks with its neighbours.

South Korea has been locked in a series of high-level talks focused on next month’s Winter Olympics which they hope the North will attend.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said: ”It is not the time to ease the pressure or to reward North Korea.

"The fact that North Korea is engaging in dialogue could be interpreted as proof that the sanctions are working."

Tillers doubled-down on a refusal to accept a Chinese-Russian joint proposal that would see Kim surrender his nuclear weapons and missile programme in exchange for a suspension of joint military exercises between the US and South Korea.

These exercises which take place regularly are designed to show the Pyongyang that the US intends on defending South Korea but have succeeded in infuriating the countries despot leader.

Kim must not be allowed to “drive a wedge” between the alliance, Tillerson stated.

China and Russia have hit out at the meeting on North Korea which is being hosted in Vancouver.

They insist the talks are an example of “Cold War thinking”.

While Tillerson called on the countries to fully implement the sanctions against Pyongyang.

He said: ”We cannot abide lapses or sanctions evasion. We will continue to call attention to, and designate, entities and individuals complicit in such actions.”

The call comes after Chinese and Russia ships were accused of illegally transferring oil to Kim’s ships in secret mid-sea exchanges.