Asian markets, won sink after North Korea's latest nuclear test

Less than a week after it rattled global markets by firing a rocket over Japan, Pyongyang on Sunday conducted its sixth nuclear test - sparking further condemnation and a warning from US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis of a "massive military response" if the US or its allies were attacked.

Seoul said later on Monday there were signs the North is preparing another missile launch, adding it could involve an intercontinental ballistic missile similar to the one fired over Japan.

On Sunday the White House said President Donald Trump stands ready to use the country's "full range of diplomatic, conventional, and nuclear capabilities" if North Korea continues to threaten it or its allies.

Trump earlier denounced the test, tweeting that the time for "appeasement" was over and threatening drastic economic sanctions, including "stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea".

"It seems (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-un shows no signs of conciliation," said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader. North Korea "seems hell-bent on either goading the United States, and its president, into a response or what it thinks will be an embarrassing backdown."

The latest flare-up sent investors fleeing for safe assets, with the yen climbing to 109.50 to the dollar and gold up 0.9 per cent, pushing towards US$1,340 and levels not seen since November. The won sank 0.9 per cent against the dollar.

DOLLAR HOLDS UP

On equity markets Seoul shed 1.2 per cent and Japan's Nikkei ended 0.9 per cent down as the stronger yen hurt exporters. Hong Kong slipped 0.8 per cent and Sydney closed down 0.4 per cent, while Singapore gave up one per cent.

However, Shanghai closed up 0.4 per cent.

In early European trade London fell 0.5 per cent, Paris shed 0.7 per cent and Frankfurt was off 0.7 per cent.

"It's expected this latest NK aggression, could further intensify geopolitical tensions," said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA.

"The key now is how the international community will respond given how ineffective the tightened UN sanctions have been at discouraging North Korea's ambitions."

Sunday's test was of a device that could be mounted on an intercontinental missile capable of reaching the United States, North Korea claimed.

Chang Jaechul, chief economist at KB Securities, warned: "If North Korea ratchets up provocations again to protest sanctions and pressure from the international community, tensions on the Korean Peninsula could escalate further to a different level from previous cases.

"Still, a possibility of a military clash is low on the peninsula."

Adding to pressure on the dollar was a below-expectations reading on US jobs creation for August, which raised questions about the chances of a third Federal Reserve interest rate rise before the end of the year.

However, the greenback was holding its own against the euro after a report said the European Central Bank (ECB) could delay a decision on the future of its bond-buying stimulus programme until the end of the year.

The single currency has enjoyed a rally this year as a string of positive data from the eurozone fanned speculation the ECB would soon announce plans to begin scaling back the scheme.

- Key figures around 0820 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.9 per cent at 19,508.25 (close)

Seoul - Kospi: DOWN 1.2 per cent at 2,329.65 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 0.8 per cent at 27,740.26 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.4 per cent at 3,379.58 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.5 per cent at 7,404.50

Euro/dollar: UP at US$1.1880 from US$1.1862 at 2100 GMT on Monday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at US$1.2942 from US$1.2955

Dollar/yen: DOWN at ¥109.50 from ¥110.28

Oil - West Texas Intermediate: UP seven cents at US$47.36 per barrel

Oil - Brent North Sea: DOWN 48 cents at US$52.27

New York - Dow: UP 0.2 per cent at 21,987.56 (close)