The Foreign Secretary made the statement before a two-day gathering in Vancouver which will be attended by counterparts from the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea and other nations.
While he said the sanctions are biting, he insisted that the international community must be “united” in applying even more pressure to The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
He said: “North Korea’s illegal nuclear weapons programme is a threat to regional and global stability.
“The international community must be united in its approach.
“Sanctions are biting but we need to maintain diplomatic pressure on Kim Jong-un’s regime.
“I welcome this opportunity to discuss with like-minded partners how to increase the pressure on the DPRK to change course.”
North Korea has escalated the development of its nuclear programme and has been conducting a series of tests with ever more powerful weaponry.
A recent report from the North’s media claimed their nuclear programme guarantees “peace”.
It said: “The nuclear force of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the powerful deterrent to the adventurous war gambles of the United States, disturber of global peace, and the treasured sword for safeguarding peace.”
Members of Trump’s administration are reportedly split on how to respond to the increasing weapons capabilities of Kim’s government.
Elements within the White House are pushing for a preemptive military strike against military targets to thwart the country’s nuclear capabilities before they are able to develop them to match their rhetoric.
North Korea said it was able to foil “sinister attempts” by the US to “stifle it by force” and realise a “wild ambition for world domination” thanks to its nukes.
The statement read: “The nuclear deterrent of the DPRK is the life and soul of the nation that cannot be bartered for anything.”
The stark warning came ahead of crunch talks between South Korea and Kim’s negotiators on the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
The leader in the North blasted the South for praising Trump, this weekend, leaving a black cloud lingering over talks.
South Korea discussed Pyonyang’s plan to send a dance troupe south of the border during the upcoming Olympics, being held between February 9 and 15.
The heavily guarded talks were held at Tongilgak, a North Korean building in the truce village of Panmunjom.
It is unclear what was achieved at the meeting but North Korea requested “working talks” with the South on January 17 – but Seoul has yet to respond.
On January 20 the International Olympic Committee will meet in Lausanne, Switzerland over North Korean inclusion.
The IOC said members “will take a series of essential decisions” including the number and names of North Korean athletes to participate in PyeongChang.