North Korea 'preparing for fifth nuclear test'

South Korean President Park Geun-hye has said that North Korea is preparing to conduct its fifth nuclear test.

According to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, the country's president did not provide further details, but has ordered the military to be on alert.

There had previously been reports in local media about increased activity at North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear site.

North Korea's previous nuclear test was conducted at this location.

Any new nuclear test by North Korea would be a response to new sanctions imposed on the country by the United Nations last month.

North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January. It also launched a ballistic missile into the sea from its east coast this month.

The recent tests are the latest in a series of missile tests by the country that have escalated tensions in the region.

Experts believe that North Korea does not have the technology to install nuclear warheads on intercontinental ballistic missiles, although the country is said to have made progress in its nuclear weapons program in recent years.

Source: BBC Persian