North Korea is reportedly close to conducting another nuclear test, and the U.S. military moved a spy plane to monitor the area.
“The test could come as early as the end of the month,” an official said, according to Fox News.
After officials got wind of North Korea’s preparations for another nuke test, the U.S. military moved a surveillance aircraft – the Air Force WC-135 Constant Phoenix -- into the region. The plane is used to test the air after nuclear explosions and will monitor the area near the Korean peninsula, Fox News said.
“North Korea is ready to carry out a nuclear test at any time, depending on the leadership’s decision. We are keeping a close eye on its nuclear activities,” one official said, according to Reuters.
The most recent nuclear test conducted by the region was in September.
North Korea is said to have conducted five nuke tests and several missile launches, which has led U.S. officials to strongly believe that the region could be in the process of developing nuclear-warhead missiles with the capabilities of reaching the United States.
According to the Daily Mail, some fear North Korea plans to carry out a hydrogen bomb test, which are said to be a lot more powerful than atomic bombs.
A hydrogen bomb was last tested in North Korea last January.
The South Korean military has repeatedly said that Pyongyang could be ready to conduct another test at any time, and a tunnel has been prepped.