North Korea is planning to test a nuclear weapon, will respond suitably: South Korean PM

North Korea might test a nuclear weapon in the coming days,South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told the Sky News in an interview.However, the South KoreaPM did not provide any further details about when that might happen. Han said it is "hard to know exactly when" the nuclear test might happen but "we gather that they are prepared", he told Sky News.

Han said that hiscountry is preparing for any such attack but did not share what kind of a response can be expected. "We always have preparations for that kind of very undesirable action. We cannot say at this moment what kind of response will be made. But clearly we would like to have some kind of extended deterrence capabilities, including all kind of options," he said.

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The North has fired a record number of missiles this year, including Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM). The total number is the highest since Kim Jong Un assumed power in 2011. Last month, the leader had said that the country's ultimate goal is to possess the world's most powerful nuclear force. Kim had said a nuclear force is to protect the dignity and sovereignty of the state and also the people.

Without providing detailed information, Kim said that North Korean scientists have made a "wonderful leap forward in the development of the technology of mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles."

One missile had landed in the sea to the south of the Northern Limit Line in November, the unofficial maritime border between North and South, whileanother one flew over Japan.

Earlier this month, North Korea fired over 100 artillery shells into the sea, with some of them landing in a buffer zone near the sea border with Seoul.

The North has blamed the joint military drills held by South Korea and the US last month as reason behind its numerous missile tests.

(With inputs from agencies)

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