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South Korea has detected indications that the communist nation is about to test another ballistic missile, according to defence officals.

Signs that the totalitarian nation is planning to stage another launch, possibly its third intercontinental intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), have been spotted.

Supreme leader Kim Jong-un may fire the missile into the Pacific Ocean in the direction of the US, Yonhap News Agency, citing Seoul spy agency, reported.

Defence ministry offical Chang Kyung-soo said: "We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile."

Kyung-soo revealed the intelligence at a parlaimentary hearing about North Korea's shock nuclear test at the weekend today.

The secretive state angered the international community by testing a hydrogen bomb in one of its most provocative moves ever.

(Image: DS)

It is thought the H-bomb – five times more powerful than the one used on Hiroshima – could be loaded onto an intercontinental intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

US President Donald Trump reacted furiously, branding the test "very hostile and dangerous to the United States".

His defence secretary General James Mattis issued a final warning to Kim, telling him that the US is capable the "total annihilation" of North Korea.

In an explosive press conference at the White House, the war chief, known as Mad Dog, said any threat to the US, its allies or its territories "will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming".

Today South Korea annouced that the US is seeking to send a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and bombers to the Korean pensinula.

(Image: GETTY)

Although South Korea believes Kim is preparing to launch a ballistic missile, it has not specified what type of missile and when the test may take place.

However, analysts believe the Hermit Kingdom may fire the missile on September 9 – the anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 1948.

The rogue state has been known to mark significant holidays with dramatic shows of force such as mssile and nuclear tests.

(Image: GETTY)

In response to the nuclear test, South Korea held live firing drills that were a "show of willingness" to wipe out Kim's despotic regime.

The massive show of force, involving fighter jets and ballistic missiles, saw South Korea’s military simulate an attack on North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

But in a rare move on Sunday, Trump appeared to scold South Korea for its “talk of appeasement” with North Korea prior to the nucleear test.

He wrote on Twitter: "South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!''

Asked whether the United States would attack North Korea, Donald Trump said later: "we’ll see."

But today South Korean defence minister, Song Young-moo, said the nation will strengthen its military instead of holding talks.

(Image: PA)

South Korea said US forces will install four more THAAD missile defense launchers at its new southern base.

In a statement, the Ministry of National Defence said: "The remaining launchers will soon be tentatively deployed through South Korea-U.S. consultations in order to counter North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats."

Today the United Nations will hold an emergency meeting to discuss North Korea's nuclear test.

Prime Minister Theresa May branded the test "reckless" and backed further sanctions against North Korea.

But foreign minister Boris Johnson urged restraint as all-out war with Kim could "vapourise" South Korea.