Is N.Korea Preparing for Another Nuke Test?

Is N.Korea Preparing for Another Nuke Test?

This image taken on Oct. 16, 2006 by South Korea's multipurpose satellite Arirang No. 2 shows Punggye-ri in North Hamgyong Province, believed to be the site of North Korea's nuclear tests. /Courtesy of Korea Aerospace Research Institute

A U.S. reconnaissance satellite has detected signs of North Korea preparing for a nuclear test in North Hamgyong Province, where it had conducted two earlier tests in October 2006 and May 2009.

A South Korean government source on Wednesday said "brisk movement" of vehicles and people has been detected in Punggye-ri recently, including signs of activity there to repair a tunnel that collapsed after the two earlier nuclear tests.

However, it seems unlikely that the North will conduct a third nuclear test in the immediate future since current activities there suggest it will take "about three months" to prepare, the source added.

There is speculation that the North will attempt to reach a deal with the South Korean and the U.S. governments to ease sanctions while giving the impression that it is constantly ready to perform another nuclear test.

N.Korea may be planning third nuclear test: report -- AFP
Activity detected at North Korea nuclear test site - report -- Reuters
North Korea Movements at Nuclear Site Spark Speculation of Test -- Bloomberg

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• North Korea Movements at Nuclear Site Spark Speculation of Test (businessweek.com)
• Activity detected at North Korea nuclear test site: report (reuters.com)
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