Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo says North Korea is likely to carry out additional acts of provocation in light of recent signs indicating preparations for a nuclear test.

The minister gave the assessment on Tuesday during an audit session by the parliamentary unification committee.

Hong said that Pyongyang recently threatened preemptive nuclear attacks against South Korea, claiming itself as a nuclear state. The minister said the government is devoting all its energy to change North Korea through pressure and sanctions under the judgment that denuclearizing the North is a top priority.

Regarding calls for humanitarian aid for flood-hit North Korea, the minister said that the government will pursue humanitarian support for infants and pregnant women in the North, carefully reviewing the timing and scope of the aid.

However, he added that the government is not considering providing flood assistance to North Korea at the moment in consideration of the aid’s effectiveness, transparency and public opinion.