U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price speaks during a news conference in Washington, March 10. The United States continues to remain concerned that North Korea may conduct a nuclear test in the near future. Reuters-Yonhap

The United States continues to remain concerned that North Korea may conduct a nuclear test in the near future, a state department spokesperson said Monday (local time).

Ned Price, however, said the U.S. also remains prepared for such a contingency.

"So we remain concerned that the DPRK could seek a seventh nuclear test in the coming days," the department press secretary said when asked about U.S. measures to deal with recent North Korean provocations.

"It's a concern we have warned about for some time, I can assure you that it is a contingency we have planned for, and it has been a concerted topic of discussion with allies and partners," added Price. DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Intelligence officials in Seoul and Washington have noted the North may have already completed all preparations for a nuclear test, which will be its seventh if conducted. North Korea conducted its sixth and last nuclear test in September 2017.