North Korea has almost completed preparations for a fifth nuclear test, and the country has reportedly placed a new mid-range missile on standby for an impending launch, ABC News quoted South Korea's president as having said on Tuesday.

North Korea said two days ago it had successfully test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine in a continuation of its weapons tests during ongoing South Korea-U.S. military drills. Seoul officials said they could not confirm whether Saturday's test-firing was a success.

Meeting with senior South Korean journalists, President Park Geun-hye said South Korea believes North Korea can conduct a nuclear test anytime it decides to do so. She didn't elaborate on why South Korea made such an assessment.

Source: MENA