North Korea is likely to conduct a third nuclear test soon.

Quoting a senior source with close ties to North Korea and China, Reuters said on Tuesday that Pyongyang has almost completed preparations for a third nuclear test.

When asked whether the North was planning to conduct a nuclear test, the source reportedly told Reuters that the North will soon conduct the test as the preparations are almost complete.

The source, however, did not specify whether the North would use plutonium or highly enriched uranium for the test.

Reuters said that the source had correctly predicted the North's first nuclear test in 2006 days before it happened. The news agency added this is the first time a senior official has confirmed the planned test.