There have been signs of North Korea testing nuclear missile operations. US Spy satellites may have captured images of North Korea transporting another long-range missile to a test launch site, even as the US sent a strong message to North Korea about nuclear testing.

The US Defence secretary, Robert Gates has said the world would not sit idle while North Korea wreaks havoc on Asia or America. He added the nuclear test was a fore-runner of destruction. Even China has opposed the nuclear test.   

An official from South Korean Defence Ministry said North Korea may be preparing to shift a long-range missile from a weapons factory near Pyongyang to its test launch site by train. It may take North Korea about two weeks to launch the missile, sources said.

The size of the missile is supposedly similar to the one tested in April. According to the experts, the missile has a potential to strike Alaska. Its range is more than 4,100 miles (around 6,600 km).

There has been a partial draft resolution, which asks countries to enforce partial prohibitions on arms, search the ships for illegal weapons, etc. But only few nations have implemented them.

North Korea is defensive about the nuclear test. It has been maintaining that the launch is meant only for testing and self-defence and not for destruction. It has also warned other nations against the interruption of the nuclear tests.

Experts say one of the reasons behind missile tests is to toughen the stand of the nation, which has been deprived of its strength.