North Korea is likely to attack again, a week after it shelled a South Korean island, according to South Korea's intelligence chief, the BBC has reported.

The news came hours after Seoul announced it was planning more military exercises with the United States.

At least four South Korean soldiers were killed and about 15 more were injured after the North Korean artillery attack on the Yeonpyong Island on November 23.

The director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, Won Sei-hoon, has told a parliamentary committee behind closed doors that according to a ruling party official, the attack came amid "internal complaints" about Pyongyang's third generation succession and worsening economic situation.

"There is a high possibility that the North will make another attack," he said, as cited by the BBC.

He added that the government was trying to burnish the credentials of the designated leader who was still very young and untested, and also win new concessions from the international community.

Even though South Korea has started preparing defenses on the Yeonpyong Island, officials said they hope Won Sei-hoon was wrong and there will be no more attacks.

"There will be ongoing measures as you said to beef up our forces including the stationing of new weapons, upgrading our marines on Yeonpyeong island but I think on this particular crisis we are reaching the apex and we will see a gradual de-escalation," said Chung Min Lee, ambassador for international security affairs, as cited by the BBC.

Earlier, South Korean officials announced that Seoul and Washington were planning new military drills. Separately, South Korea is planning week-long naval live-fire exercises from 29 cities across the country. They are expected to start next week and continue for several weeks.

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