A U.S. expert on Korean affairs predicts that North Korea could conduct this year its third nuclear test.

The Korea Chair at the U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies Victor Cha made the prediction during a hearing on North Korea at the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Cha said recent satellite signals indicate that Pyongyang is preparing for a nuclear test and that he believes the test will be conducted this year.

Cha cited moves detected around the presumed site of the nuclear test and compared them with past precedents. He said that through the third nuclear test, North Korea will gain valuable data it needs to further advance its nuclear program.