MOSCOW (AFP) - Moscow's Russian foreign ministry said it invited a North Korean diplomat for "consultations" on Friday (Sept 29), as tensions mount between Pyongyang and Washington.

Choe Son-hui, director-general of the North American section of North Korea's foreign ministry, met with Russia's ambassador-at-large Oleg Burmistrov.

The foreign ministry statement described the discussion as "a detailed exchange of views on the situation on the Korean peninsula."

Choe also met with Russian vice foreign minister Igor Morgulov, the foreign ministry said.

The statement added that "the Russian side confirmed its willingness (to aid) joint efforts to find a solution... through peaceful and political-diplomatic means" as Washington and Pyongyang ramp up a war of words over the latter's nuclear testing programme.

US President Donald Trump last week used a UN address to threaten to "totally destroy" North Korea and declared the hermit state's leader Kim Jong-Un, whom he dubbed "Rocket Man," to be on a "suicide mission".

Kim responded that Trump was "mentally deranged" and a "dotard" who would "pay dearly" for his threats.

After the bellicose exchanges, Pyongyang then accused Washington last Monday of declaring war.

Warning of a potential catastrophe if the tensions are ratcheted up any further, Russia has been pushing hard for dialogue to defuse the crisis.