Senior diplomats from Japan, the United States and South Korea are meeting in Seoul to discuss strengthening cooperation over North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

The talks began on Friday morning in the South Korean capital. Japan is represented by Funakoshi Takehiro, who heads the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim, and South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, Kim Gunn, are also taking part.

At the outset of the meeting, the US representative presented his country's assessment that North Korea is preparing to conduct a nuclear test. He underscored the need to bolster defense and deterrence to protect allies in the region.

Funakoshi said the countries need to thoroughly discuss how to respond to various scenarios, as North Korea could make further provocations, including a nuclear test.

The three countries' envoys in charge of North Korean affairs are meeting for the first time since South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was inaugurated in May.

The North has carried out 16 rounds of missile tests so far this year. There are also reports that Pyongyang may soon conduct its seventh nuclear test.