Responding to US news reports that the secretive nation appears to be preparing to fire another intercontinental ballistic missile, Army Colonel Roh Jae-cheon, spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a press briefing on Thursday that there is no activity that would lead to an assessment that a missile provocation by the North is imminent.

He pointed out, however, that it is possible for Pyongyang to press ahead with a missile provocation at anytime, adding that South Korea and the US are closely monitoring related situations.

Earlier this week, CBS News reported that the North has resumed its missile activity at the same site it launched an ICBM in November last year.

Newsweek also quoted US officials as saying a new missile test may come as soon as next week.

The reports came amid renewed hopes of eased military tensions on the peninsula.