North Korea Suspected of Preparing 2nd Nuclear Test

[NNN0LHI]

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200610/kt2006102918134111990.htm

North Korea is suspected of preparing a second nuclear test at a site where the communist state is believed to have conducted an underground nuclear blast earlier this month, reports said.

``The North is constructing a structure at a site in Punggye-ri, North Hamkyong Province, in the northeastern part of North Korea,'' an unidentified military official was quoted as saying by the Yonhap News Agency. ``It is clear that there have been movements there. We're closely monitoring whether North Korea is gearing up for a second nuclear test.''

The official, however, said a second test does not seem to be imminent. He failed to verify whether such activities are linked to the North's preparation for a second nuclear test.

The Defense Ministry in Seoul refused to confirm the reports.

The U.S. State Department refused to comment on the issue. ``We don't discuss intelligence issues as a matter of policy,'' Air Force Maj. David Smith, a Pentagon spokesman, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.


Guess this general didn't get the memo?


http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/U_S_general_says_expects_2nd_North_Korean_test.html?siteSect=143&sid=7206608&cKey=1162187568000

U.S. general says expects 2nd North Korean test