The US believes Pyongyang is preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test, and Washington is preparing contingencies alongside Japan and South Korea, according to a statement by the State Department Deputy Secretary spokesperson Vedant Patel held on Thursday.

During the briefing, Patel said that "The US assesses that the DPRK is preparing its Punggye-ri test site for what would be its seventh nuclear test," adding that "We are preparing for all contingencies in close coordination with our Japanese, and ROK allies. Furthermore, we are prepared to make both short- and longer-term adjustments to our military posture as appropriate in responding to any DPRK provocations."

During the same briefing, Patel stated that the US urged the DPRK to cooperate with the international community in order to quickly implement a COVID-19 immunization program in the nation.  

Patel said that "We are very concerned about how COVID-19 could affect the North Korean people, and we continue to support the provision of vaccines to the DPRK," adding that "We continue to support international efforts aimed at the provision of critical humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable North Koreans. Should the DPRK request vaccines, we stand ready to offer them. And we urge and reiterate for the DPRK to work with the international community to facilitate the rapid vaccination of its population."    

The DPRK leader's sister said Kim Jong Un suffered from Covid, adding that he had a high fever in the final days of the outbreak.

He "was suffering from high fever during the days of this quarantine war, but he could not lie down for a moment as he was thinking about the people he was responsible for," Kim said.

The DPRK confirmed on May 12 its first-ever Covid outbreak, with state media declaring it a "severe national emergency incident." Every day since, state media has reported the official number of cases, deaths, treatments, and recoveries.

Read more: DPRK warns Seoul authorities against causing COVID-19 outbreak