The United States on Friday warned that it would be the "most incendiary" event if the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) undertakes a nuclear test.

"This hostile act would be most incendiary and threatening to North Korea's immediate neighbors," White House deputy spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

"It would be destabilizing to the region and could lead to further escalation of tensions," she said

"The international community has joined us in sending a clear signal to the North Koreans that any such test of a nuclear device would be unacceptable," the spokeswoman added.

The DPRK announced Tuesday that it will undertake an unprecedented nuclear test. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that a nuclear test by the DPRK would be a "very provocative" act.

Pyongyang declared in February 2005 it had nuclear weapons, but there have been no reports of a test.