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The International Atomic Energy Agency says it has detected signs that North Korea is preparing for a nuclear test.
The US government has also made a diagnosis that the situation is becoming increasingly tense, saying that North Korea's seventh nuclear test could be carried out soon.
Correspondent Yunsu Kim from Washington.
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Rafael Grosi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that North Korea appears to be preparing for a nuclear test in Punggye-ri, Gilju-gun, North Hamgyong Province.
He said he observed signs of reopening of a tunnel at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site.
Signs of a nuclear reactor operating at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, the core of North Korea's nuclear weapons development, were also detected and added one after another.
The U.S. State Department also diagnosed that the situation is becoming increasingly tense, saying there is growing concern that North Korea may conduct a seventh nuclear test in the near future.
[Ned Price/US State Department Spokesperson: North Korea's nuclear test is an emergency that we are preparing for, and is a topic we are discussing in close cooperation with our allies and partners.]
Cretten Brink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs He said he would take all necessary measures to counter the threat from North Korea, saying it is endangering the security of the entire international community, including the Pacific region.
In particular, he emphasized that he is focusing on defending alliances such as South Korea and Japan.
[Critten Brink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs: The United States, South Korea, and Japan continue to be fully prepared to respond to the threat posed by North Korea.]
While the US State Department urged North Korea to stop further provocations, the US State Department made it clear that it would provide humanitarian aid, saying that the issue of COVID-19 aid to North Korea would not be linked to denuclearization.