North Korea's ambassador to Australia has warned that international attempts to stop his country's missile tests could lead to war in Asia.

In a letter to The Sunday Herald Sun, Chon Jae-hong said North Korea has the right to build its self-defense capacity as a sovereign nation.

Chon said history and the stark reality of international relations, proven by the Iraqi crisis, have shown that upsetting the balance of force is bound to create instability and even a war.

He added Pyongyang will have no option but to take stronger physical action in other forms, should a country put pressure upon it.

Chon also blamed the United States for an antagonistic posture against North Korea and for being technically at war with the North.