Toru Hanai/Reuters
Just a day after North Korea said it conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, South Korea says Pyongyang is preparing to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile. Chang Kyung-soo, Seoul’s acting chief of the defense ministry’s policy planning office, told lawmakers on Monday that preparations appeared to be underway for an ICBM launch, though no timeframe was given for when it might occur. North Korea’s latest test, which the country said involved a hydrogen bomb, was met with condemnation from Russia and China, while U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis warned of a “massive military response.” Seoul has begun talks with the U.S. about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula in light of the escalated threat. South Korea’s defense ministry has also moved to complete installment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, which is opposed by China.