Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Tuesday urged the military to beef up readiness against possible North Korean provocations amid speculation that the regime could carry out another nuclear test later this week.

"The military should thoroughly be ready for any kind of North Korean provocation to ensure the safety of the people," Hwang said during a Cabinet meeting in Seoul.

The remarks come as the North may opt to detonate its fifth nuclear weapon or launch a missile ahead of the country's rare ruling party congress set for Friday.

The Workers' Party of Korea plans to open its first party congress in more than 30 years.

Hwang showed concern over Pyongyang's repeated provocations, saying that the Ministry of Defense should stay alert so that it can deal resolutely in each case.

The reclusive country has been slapped with the toughest U.N. sanctions ever after it moved forward with its fourth nuclear test in January and fired off a long-range rocket the following month.

Seoul along with Washington and Tokyo implemented their own unilateral sanctions to punish Pyongyang for its provocative acts. (Yonhap)