Signs of Preparation for Nuclear Test Detected in N. Korea

South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Monday confirmed reports that Seoul had detected signs of Pyongyang preparing for a new nuclear test.

On Sunday, local media reported citing government sources in Seoul that Pyongyang is likely to carry out an additional nuclear test before early May, as North Korea had increased activity at its Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

“We are in a situation, in which we don't know whether North Korea could stage any provocation to avoid isolation and consolidate its internal unity," Park said, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.

According to Park, "preparations for a fifth nuclear test have been detected."

The president also reportedly urged the South Korean military to maintain readiness in order to retaliate against any potential North Korean provocations.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated after North Korea successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test in early January and put a satellite into orbit a month later, violating UN Security Council resolutions and triggering condemnation from the international community.

Last month, Pyongyang announced that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had inspected the final test fire of the 300-millimeter caliber rockets equipped with an accurate guidance system.