Seoul : South Korea’s intelligence agency has warned that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may soon decide to carry out a new nuclear test, raising fresh concerns about rising tensions in the region.

According to a report shared by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), the North has already made all technical preparations at its Punggye Ri nuclear test site and could conduct a test whenever Kim chooses. The report, cited by South Korean media, said the country remains in a state of readiness for a possible seventh nuclear test.

North Korea has not carried out a nuclear explosion since 2017, but satellite images in recent months have shown renewed activity at the test site, suggesting ongoing tunnel repairs and construction.

Experts say Pyongyang could be planning a demonstration to showcase new weapons or to strengthen its position ahead of any future talks with the United States and its allies. The warning comes at a time when North Korea has been stepping up missile launches and military parades, displaying new long range weapons and claiming progress in nuclear warhead technology.

If a nuclear test happens, it is likely to draw strong international condemnation and could lead to tougher sanctions against the country. South Korea, Japan, and the United States are expected to closely monitor developments and increase security coordination in the coming weeks.

For now, officials say there are no signs of an exact date for the test, but they are keeping a close watch on the North’s movements and the political signals coming from Pyongyang.