South Korea said on Tuesday that more weapons tests by North Korea are possible, despite international outrage over Sunday's nuclear test and calls for more sanctions against it.
South Korea's Asia Business Daily, citing an unidentified source, reported that North Korea had been observed moving a rocket that appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) towards its west coast.
The rocket started moving on Monday and was spotted moving only at night to avoid surveillance, the newspaper said.
South Korea's defence ministry, which warned on Monday that North Korea was ready to launch an ICBM at any time, said it was not able to confirm the report.
Analysts and South Korean policymakers believe North Korea may test another weapon on or around September 9, when it celebrates its founding day.
North Korea's fifth nuclear test fell on that date last year, reflecting its tendency to conduct weapons tests on significant dates.
North Korea says it needs to develop its weapons to defend itself against what it sees as US aggression.
US President Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, agreed on Monday to scrap a warhead weight limit on South Korea's missiles, enabling it to strike North Korea with greater force in the event of war.
"We believe the unlimited warhead payload will be useful in responding to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats," South Korean Defence Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said.
Meanwhile, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was "begging for war" and urged the 15-member Security Council to impose the "strongest possible" sanctions to deter him.
Haley said the United States would circulate a new Security Council resolution on North Korea this week and wanted a vote on it on Monday.
Trump has repeatedly warned that "all options were on the table" regarding North Korea, including military options.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin said threats of military action were counterproductive.
"Russia condemns North Korea's exercises, we consider that they are a provocation," Putin said in China.
"(But) ramping up military hysteria will lead to nothing good. It could lead to a global catastrophe.
China's foreign ministry said it would take part in security council discussions in "a responsible and constructive manner".
