South Korea's military is on high alert as North Korea might stage another provocation to celebrate its key anniversary next week, government officials said Friday.

North Korea appears to be ready to carry out another nuclear test or launch a ballistic missile at any time given increased activities at its nuclear test and missile launching sites, Yonhap reported.

“Chances are high that the North will conduct its sixth nuclear detonation or test-fire a ballistic missile ahead of the anniversary of its ruling Workers' Party and the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) scheduled in the U.S. later this month. Starting today, the military will maintain heightened vigilance against any provocations by the North,” a defense ministry official told Yonhap News Agency.