A high-ranking government official has denied a report by U.S. broadcaster ABC that North Korea appears to have made preparations for another nuclear test. The official said that Seoul’s own comprehensive analysis shows no signs of such preparations.

He added that although the government is aware of movements of people at a suspected test site, it is difficult to say that it points to another test.

According to the official, after the ABC report, U.S. intelligence authorities said in follow-up reports by foreign news outlets including Reuters that there is no reason to think that another North Korean nuclear test is imminent. He said that Seoul will soon announce the results of its analysis through the Foreign Ministry.

Another government official also confirmed that there are no unusual signs pointing to another North Korean nuclear test. He said that South Korea and its allies will closely monitor the North's nuclear facilities, adding that the six-way nuclear talks participants are making a variety of efforts to resolve the problem through dialogue.