North Korea informed China of its plans to hold one or even two fresh nuclear tests this year with the aim of forcing the United States into diplomatic talks, Reuters reported Friday, citing a person with direct knowledge of the exchange.

Further tests later this year could be accompanied by another rocket launch, this person said.

North Korea warned the new tests would be conducted unless the U.S. agreed to talks and abandoned its pursuit of regime change, the report said.

North Korea held its third nuclear test on Tuesday drawing condemnation from the U.S. , neighboring countries and the U.N.

"It's all ready. A fourth and fifth nuclear test and a rocket launch could be conducted soon, possibly this year," the source said, adding the fourth nuclear test would be much larger at an equivalent of 10 kilotons of TNT.

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