SEOUL, South Korea — On Wednesday, South Korea’s military intelligence agency informed lawmakers that North Korea appears to have finalized its preparations for what would be its seventh nuclear test. Additionally, the agency noted that North Korea seems to be gearing up for a long-range missile test capable of striking targets in the United States.

During a closed session, officials revealed that some of the North Korean troops that were deployed to Russia might have arrived at key battlefronts. These forces are reportedly set to head to the Kursk region, where Russian troops have experienced difficulties in countering advances by Ukrainian forces, according to insights shared by two lawmakers who were present at the meeting.

Earlier this month, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed to media sources his expectations that North Korea would engage in significant provocations, such as nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches, particularly around the time of the upcoming U.S. elections. This strategy is perceived as an effort to ramp up pressure on both Washington and its allies.

In recent months, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has showcased his military’s nuclear advancements through various missile tests and revealed a covert facility dedicated to producing weapons-grade uranium in September. The military intelligence agency has indicated that North Korea is poised to conduct a nuclear test at its testing facility located in Punggye-ri, signaling that the detonation is likely planned for tunnel No. 3, according to Lee Seong-kweun, a lawmaker who attended the intelligence briefing. North Korea last executed a nuclear test in 2017.

The agency further indicated that it has observed several signs, including the deployment of launch vehicles, suggesting that North Korea is making arrangements to launch an ICBM with the capability to hit the U.S. mainland. Lawmakers Lee and Park Sun-won noted that this ICBM launch could potentially occur sometime in November.

“While we cannot pinpoint the exact location, it’s worth noting that the transporter-erector launcher has been positioned in an area where an ICBM test, potentially aimed at testing re-entry technology, could be conducted,” Lee stated.

Since 2017, all of North Korea’s ICBM tests have been carried out at steep angles to avoid infringing upon neighboring territories. Experts suggest that North Korea may eventually choose to execute flight tests along a trajectory that more closely resembles a standard ballistic path, which would be crucial in assessing whether the warhead can endure the severe conditions associated with atmospheric re-entry.

Tensions in the Korean Peninsula have intensified since 2022, particularly as Kim has leveraged the situation arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to expedite the development of his nuclear arsenal and missile capabilities.