US say they are 'aware', will 'monitor' NK actions on missile launch

The launch would be North Korea's first action in more than a year as it seeks to up pressure on Washington with nuclear talks deadlocked.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees test of new weapon with 'powerful warhead'

The test marks a ratcheting up of tensions weeks after a summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump collapsed without agreement.

Despite breakdown of second USA-North Korea summit, Trump had maintained that the relationship with elusive state continues to be 'good'.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies released a report, citing satellite imagery, that NK is pursuing rapid rebuilding.

The US move is part of a negotiating tactic to maintain sanctions pressure on North Korea.

Trump and Kim held historic summit in Singapore in June that raised prospects of a breakthrough on curtailing North Korea's nuclear program.

Trump said he discussed North Korea with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday at their summit in Helsinki.

'We had anticipated US side would come with constructive idea, thinking we would take something in return,' North Korean spokesperson said.

The trip will be Kim Jong Un's third to China since March, when he made his inaugural foreign trip as leader.

When Trump announced that US would stop massive war games with S Korea, a longtime Chinese goal, it was clear that Beijing made its mark.