South Korean officials claim to have spotted activity near a suspected nuclear test site in North Korea, but there is no evidence.
SEOUL: South Korean officials claim to have spotted activity near a suspected nuclear test site in North Korea, but there is no evidence. The first test on October 9 last year drew worldwide condemnation and United Nations sanctions.
A United States defence official was quoted as saying that North Korea appeared to have completed preparations for a second nuclear test. “We think they've put everything in place to conduct a test without notice or warning,” the official said.
In response, another US official said he had no reason to believe North Korea was preparing for a test and there was considerable uncertainty within the US government about whether Pyongyang had any intent to conduct one.
The US monitors North Korea by satellite and spy planes that fly along the fringes of the communist state's airspace for suspicious movements.
A government official in Seoul said vehicle and personnel movement had been spotted near the first test site. But there were no signs of cables being laid or electronic monitors being installed, which might indicate a test was imminent.
A news report said intelligence was inconclusive, but the preparations in hand were similar to the ones before the Oct 9 test, which many analysts believe was not completely successful.
North Korea, South Korea, US, Japan, Russia and China failed in their latest round of talks in Beijing last month to suspend North Korea’s nuclear programmes in exchange of aid. North Korea was rebuffed at the talks due to its insistence to be treated as a nuclear power.
South Korea's Defence Ministry said last week that North Korea has probably extracted more than 50 kg of plutonium since 1994, with more than 30 kg obtained since 2003 while engaged in the six-country negotiations.
North Korea hailed its first nuclear test as “an auspicious event for the nation” to welcome the New Year, adding it would further boost its military strength. “North Korea's nuclear deterrent serves as a powerful force for defending peace and security in Northeast Asia and guaranteeing the victorious advance of the cause of independence,” one editorial said.
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