South Korea's military says North Korea appears ready for its seventh nuclear test or a missile launch.

The spokesperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters on Tuesday that they believe North Korea has finished preparing for a nuclear test and missile launch. He said South Korea is closely tracking and monitoring movements with the cooperation of US forces and maintaining a firm posture.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported that North Korea could resume provocations, given it has finished holding a funeral for top military official Hyon Chol Hae and is reportedly managing to curb its coronavirus outbreak. The news agency quoted North Korean media as saying the country is "controlling the spread of the pandemic disease and maintaining the clearly stable situation."

Last week, South Korea's National Intelligence Service gave an assessment that North Korea is ready for its seventh nuclear test.

The US national security advisor has said that North Korea could conduct a long-range ballistic missile launch or a nuclear test while President Joe Biden is visiting South Korea or Japan.