North Korea Missile Could Launch Early Next Week, Japanese Officials Warn

North Korea may launch a long-range missile as early as next week, according to Japanese officials. Satellite imagery of North Korea’s Tongchang-ri missile test site shows there are possible preparations in place for the launch, reported Japan’s Kyodo news agency.

On Jan. 6, Pyongyang conducted what was believed to be a nuclear test. International communities have called for the United Nations to impose stricter sanctions against the country and condemn the atomic blast, which North Korea has claimed was a hydrogen bomb, and boasted about its “spectacular success,” CNN reported. Many experts have rejected this claim.

“Whether it was a full H-bomb or not it is still a worrying development,” Mike Chinoy, a fellow at the University of Southern California’s U.S.-China Institute, told CNN.

Following the possible nuclear test, the U.N. Security Council called the test a “clear violation of [past] resolutions ... and of the nonproliferation regime” at a meeting of the 15-member council.

Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States will continue to work with other countries to prevent North Korea from advancing its nuclear weapons program, but the country has gone on to launch tests. The latest long-range rocket test was in 2012 when Pyongyang launched an object into orbit as part of a plan to create an intercontinental ballistic missile, according to Sky News.

“The United States will do what is necessary to protect the people of our country and our friends and allies in the world,” Kerry said.

The U.N. has slapped measures on North Korea to end the program before, including nonproliferation and luxury good embargoes.

U.S. President Barack Obama met with the leaders of South Korea and Japan this month to discuss North Korea’s test. South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s office said the leaders agreed that “there should be a corresponding price for this nuclear test.­”