United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged North Korea not to carry out a new nuclear test, saying it would be a "provocative" act amid soaring tensions on the Korean peninsula, The Associated Press reports.

South Korea's point man on North Korea said Monday, April 8 there is an "indication" that Pyongyang is preparing for a fourth nuclear test, a day after another Seoul official said a Pyongyang missile test may be in the works. But later Monday, the official, Ryoo Kihl-jae, said he misspoke when he told lawmakers about North Korea's plans.

Speaking during a visit to the Netherlands, Ban said Monday he had no further information on the reports from Seoul, but called on North Korea not to carry out another test, calling it a "provocative measure" that would breach Security Council resolutions.