SOUTH KOREA - According to The National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency on Thursday, North Korea has been weighing out the timing to conduct its seventh nuclear test and has completed its preparations for such a test.
The South Korean spy agency stated during a briefing to lawmakers that there are signs that North Korea could launch an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
Just one day earlier, on Thursday U.S. National security advisor Jake Sullivan said that U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korea may carry out a nuclear test, a missile test, or both either before, during, or after U.S. President Joe Biden takes his trip to South Korea and Japan this week.
He added that the United States is currently coordinating with both South Korea and Japan and spoke with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi regarding North Korea during a phone call on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap, South Korea has concerns that North Korea could carry out a 'major provocation' during the visit by U.S. President Joe Biden to Seoul this week with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.
South Korean Representative Kim Byung-kee told reporters that "It would not be abnormal for North Korea to launch a missile or conduct a nuclear test at one point, as signs (of such provocations) are detected and Pyongyang has almost completed its preparations".
Kim Tae-hyo, who is the first deputy chief of South Korea's presidential National Security Office said on Wednesday that preparations by North Korea for an ICBM launch appear to be "imminent".
The South Korean spy agency stated during a briefing to lawmakers that there are signs that North Korea could launch an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
Just one day earlier, on Thursday U.S. National security advisor Jake Sullivan said that U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korea may carry out a nuclear test, a missile test, or both either before, during, or after U.S. President Joe Biden takes his trip to South Korea and Japan this week.
He added that the United States is currently coordinating with both South Korea and Japan and spoke with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi regarding North Korea during a phone call on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap, South Korea has concerns that North Korea could carry out a 'major provocation' during the visit by U.S. President Joe Biden to Seoul this week with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.
South Korean Representative Kim Byung-kee told reporters that "It would not be abnormal for North Korea to launch a missile or conduct a nuclear test at one point, as signs (of such provocations) are detected and Pyongyang has almost completed its preparations".
Kim Tae-hyo, who is the first deputy chief of South Korea's presidential National Security Office said on Wednesday that preparations by North Korea for an ICBM launch appear to be "imminent".