Activity at N.Korean Nuclear Sites Sparks Frenzied Speculation

[Purveyor]

Source: The Chosun Ilbo

North Korea has dug a new tunnel more than 500 m deep at a nuclear test site in Punggye-ri, North Hamgyong Province, intelligence sources said Tuesday. The North is also reportedly accelerating massive excavation work and construction of a new building at its main nuclear site in Yongbyon.

"North Korea seems to be busy digging even in winter when the ground is frozen" at Punggye-ri and Yongbyon, an intelligence officer said.

Based on an estimate of the amount of earth dug up, the intelligence officer speculated that the North has already dug a cave more than 500 m deep in Punggye-ri.

"If progress goes on at the current pace, the North will have dug a cave 1 km deep, the depth where it is possible to conduct a nuclear test, between March and May next year," the officer said.

Voice of America, quoting a U.S. Congressional Research Service report, reported on Dec. 7 that the North could conduct a nuclear test as a proxy for nuclear weapons developing nations such as Iran.

Read more: http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/12/15/2010121500311.html

[Arctic Dave]

1. "seems to be busy digging even in winter when the ground is frozen"

Uh, once you get down far enough the ground is no longer frozen. What kind of "intelligence" officer say that?

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Hey, that first 22 inches can be a killer when digging a kilometer deep

hole.

[soryang]

2. They're doing it for Iran!

Give me a break.