South Korea says North preparing for nuclear test

[Daemon of Decay]

South Korea says North preparing for nuclear test

By HYUNG-JIN KIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Recent satellite images show North Korea is digging a new underground tunnel in what appears to be preparation for a third nuclear test, according to South Korean intelligence officials.

The excavation at North Korea's northeast Punggye-ri site, where nuclear tests were conducted in 2006 and 2009, is in its final stages, according to a report by intelligence officials that was shared Monday with The Associated Press.

Its release comes as North Korea prepares to launch a long-range rocket that Washington and others say is a cover for testing missile technology that could be used to fire on the United States.

Observers fear a repeat of 2009, when international criticism of the North's last long-range rocket launch prompted Pyongyang to walk away from nuclear disarmament negotiations and, weeks later, conduct its second nuclear test. A year later, 50 South Korean were killed in attacks blamed on the North.

AP - Full Article

[PhilipLaos]

Rapid developments happening over there on the Korean peninsula.

Monday, April 9th, 2012.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice says she expects the U.N. to reply in what she calls a “credible fashion” to a North Korean rocket launch or nuclear test.

Rice told CNN television Monday that a North Korean launch would be a blatant violation of its international obligations under Security Council resolutions.

Ambassador Rice said she believes a test would prompt a council meeting.

Earlier Monday, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said a rocket or nuclear test by North Korea would only further isolate its communist government.

“North Korea's launch of a missile would be highly provocative, it would pose a threat to regional security, and it will be inconsistent with its recent undertakings to refrain from any kind of long-range missile launches. And, as you know, we consider that it would be a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 and 1874. So we are continuing to make the point that it is a bad idea to do this.”

From: http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-ne...uclear-test-2/

Philip