WASHINGTON -- North Korea may be preparing for a nuclear test in the near future, a U.S. website that monitors the isolated nation said Friday.

The website 38 North said commercial satellite imagery taken Thursday shows vehicles at a command centre believed to control the underground explosions, which could be sign that a test is imminent.

The centre lies nearly four miles from the test site at Punggye-ri. The website said the level of activity at the test site continues to be low, but vehicles are not often seen at the command centre -- except during test preparations.

Predicting North Korea's nuclear tests is notoriously difficult. The last test, North Korea's fourth since 2006, happened in January and was followed by a long-range rocket launch, drawing the toughest U.N. sanctions yet against Pyongyang.

On Friday, North Korea began a ruling party congress to cement the authority of its leader, Kim Jong Un.

South Korean officials say the North has finished preparations for a fifth nuclear test and it could happen any day.

A U.S. official said Friday the U.S. has seen activity at the site and wouldn't be surprised if there was a test. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity, said the assessments have been mixed.

Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.