South Korea's defense ministry has announced that Minister Lee Jong-sup will meet this week with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington to discuss responses to North Korea.

The ministry said Lee is traveling to the United States on Tuesday, and the defense chiefs' meeting is scheduled for Friday. They also met in Singapore in June.

The ministry says the two are expected to share the view on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and discuss the countries' alliance.

Lee told a parliamentary session on Monday that North Korea has completed most of the preparations for a seventh nuclear test. He said the timing of the test depends on a decision by leader Kim Jong Un.

Lee said the North's test may be aimed at advancing capabilities to develop smaller and lighter nuclear weapons. He warned that the technology to create smaller weapons has reached a considerable level.

The South Korean officials say they have taken all available precautions against a possible North Korean nuclear test.