American MIM-23 Hawk Missiles (Soviet Scud-B Ballistic Missile in background) are on display at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul on January 28, 2013. North Korea is preparing to carry out its fourth nuclear test. (UPI/Stephen Shaver) | License Photo

SEOUL, May 21 (UPI) -- South Korea cautioned North Korea against conducting a nuclear test, warning the North that such a test would incur "a strong response from the international community."

Speaking at a regional security conference in Shanghai, Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae asserted, "If North Korea goes ahead with another nuclear test, it will face a concerted, firm and strong response from the international community."


South Korea has offered economic assistance to its northern neighbor on the condition that it halt its nuclear program. North Korea has rejected calls for de-nuclearization, and asserts its rights both to economic and nuclear development.

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin told reporters on May 8 that North Korea is prepared to conduct its fourth nuclear test.

Satellite imagery shows increased activity at North Korea's main test site in Punggye-ri, and the defense minister noted that the readiness level is such that "North Korea can conduct an atomic test whenever it makes a decision."

The international community issued condemnations of North Korea's nuclear tests in 2006, 2009, and 2013.