A 3.1-magnitude earthquake struck North Korea early Monday, South Korea's state weather agency said.

The quake was detected at 5:17 a.m. Monday in an area some 21km east of Songlim, North Hwanghae Province, which lies just north of the border. An official with the Korea Meteorological Administration said no major damage is expected.

The quake is not believed to be the result of a nuclear test as the affected area is away from the North's Punggye-ri underground nuclear test site in the country's northeast. (연합)