Satellite images have depicted mounds of earth piled at the entrance of a tunnel at a site in Punggye-ri, in the north east, where two nuclear tests were conducted in 2006 and 2009.
North Korea is digging a tunnel in apparent preparation for a new nuclear test, according to intelligence reports.
Satellite images have depicted mounds of earth piled at the entrance of a tunnel at a site in Punggye-ri, in the north east, where two nuclear tests were conducted in 2006 and 2009.
Observers fear that the new tunnel could indicate the state's intentions to conduct a third underground nuclear test. A report compiled by South Korean intelligence officials read: "North Korea is covertly preparing for a third nuclear test, which would be another grave provocation. North Korea is digging up a new underground tunnel at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, in addition to its existing two underground tunnels, and it has been confirmed that the excavation works are in the final stages."
Suspicions surrounding the possibility of a new nuclear test coincided with regional tensions reaching a peak as North Korea counts down to this week's launch of an observation satellite. The reclusive state claims the launch will peacefully mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, the North Korean founder, although the move is widely regarded in the international community as cover for a long-range ballistic missile test.
Japan, where David Cameron will visit for two-days this week, has stationed missile interceptors in southern Okinawa and Tokyo, with orders to shoot down any part of the rocket that enters its territory.
Meanwhile, North Korea took the unusual step of inviting foreign journalists into the secretive region in order to view its rocket launch site in a bid to convince the world that its intentions are peaceful. The rocket was described as being white with sky-blue lettering, measuring 99ft in height with a diameter of eight feet.
It will reportedly be accompanied by the Kwangmyongsong-3 (Shining Star) satellite. North Korean officials reportedly told media that the function of the satellite is to collect data on forests and natural resources across the region.
The world's eyes are on North Korea this week less than four months after untested Kim Jong-un took over from his father Kim Jong-il following his death in December. Hundreds of thousands of residents are expected to fill the streets of Pyongyang on Sunday to celebrate the centenary of the state founder's birth.
Kim was earlier appointed the supreme commander of the nation's 1.2?million strong armed forces. A series of high-profile appointments are expected to be bestowed upon him during the coming week, culminatating in the launch of the rocket, according to Yonhap, the South Korean news agency.
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