NORTH Korea has announced plans for a huge new nuclear test, warning America to take the threat "literally".
North Korea has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons to destroy America and has now announced plans to carry out a provocative new test.
A senior diplomat from Pyongyang today said warnings of a possible atmospheric nuclear test over the Pacific Ocean should be taken “literally”.
The official told CNN the threat by the hermit state’s despot Kim Jong-un should not be taken lightly.
Ri Yong Pil said the foreign ministry was aware of plans for a launch and urged Washington to prepare itself.
He said: “The foreign minister is very well aware of the intentions of our supreme leader, so I think you should take his words literally.”
Last month North Korea’s foreign minister Ri Yong Ho said Pyongyang was considering “the most powerful detonation” of a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean.
North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests in its history, with half taking place since 2016.
All six have taken place in underground testing facilities deep within Kim's rogue state.
A seventh test carried out in the atmosphere above an already-turbulent region would therefore mark a worrying milestone in North Korea's march towards nuclear power.
Kim Jong-un has already put far more focus on nuclear testing and missile launches than his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim il-Sung.
It comes after North Korea said the regular joint military exercises held in South Korea with US troops was provocation for “nuclear war”.