South Korea has condemned North Korea's plans to conduct a nuclear weapons test. Seoul says it will not tolerate nuclear arms on its northern neighbour's soil. It has urged Pyongyang to scrap the test programme and return to the negotiating table.

Six-party talks on the issue have been stalled for a year. The US, Japan and Russia have expressed concern. China, one of North Korea's few allies, is calling for the issue to be settled peacefully.

North Korea did not give a date for the test, which was announced on state television.

The government appears to have been angered by international sanctions on its businesses accused of arms sales and other illegal activities. It is thought to be developing a number of warheads but has never before revealed plans for a test.

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