SEOUL, May 10 (Xinhuanet) -- South Korea has neither detected signs nor received intelligence from the United States that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is preparing a nuclear test, said a high-level official Tuesday.

    "So far, we have not detected specific signs North Korea is preparations for a nuclear test," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency.

    He also dismissed reports that the United States had given intelligence that the DPRK was preparing a nuclear test.

    A series of news reports have raised the possibility of a DPRK nuclear test. Most of the reports cited satellite images and other intelligence assessments, but contained little detailed evidence.

    The latest report came on Friday from the New York Times. The newspaper quoted some US intelligence officials as saying that they believe the DPRK was building a reviewing stand and filling in a tunnel in Kilju in northeastern DPRK and the moves may mean it was working on a nuclear test.

    But the official said the activities in Kilju cannot be linked directly to a nuclear test. "Since a few years ago, there have been similar movements in Kilju, such as dump trucks moving," he said. "For instance, in the case of Kumchangni, nothing (suspicious) was turned up after inspection," he added. Enditem