North Korea has tested a new long-range cruise missile capable of hitting much of Japan, state media said on Monday.

Tests staged over the weekend saw missiles travelling as far as 1,500km (930 miles) away, according to KCNA.

However, they do not violate UN Security Council resolutions - they have led to tough sanctions on North Korea in the past.

But it suggests the country is still capable of developing weapons despite food shortages and an economic crisis.

The test was of "strategic significance" as a deterrence measure to guarantee North Korea's security and to "strongly contain" hostile forces' military manoeuvres, KCNA said.