South Korea and Japan have information that North Korea is possibly preparing for a second nuclear bomb test, according to South Korean officials and a Japanese news report on Tuesday.
The confirmation followed U.S. media reports that the United States has detected fresh signs indicating Pyongyang was readying another nuclear test.
U.S. spy satellites have detected "suspicious vehicle movements" that could be preparations for another test near the site where North Korea conducted its first underground nuclear weapon test on Oct. 9, ABC News said, quoting unidentified U.S. officials.
NBC News also quoted unidentified U.S. officials as saying U.S. spy satellites are picking up signs of truck and people movements.
"The South Korean government is aware of such signs in North Korea," a government official said, asking to remain anonymous.
But the South Korean official said the reported new signs of a second test could be part of simple military activities unrelated to a nuclear bomb explosion.
"We're preparing for uncertainties, but are very cautious in analyzing North Korea-related intelligence," he said.
Japan had information on the North's possible second nuclear test, Japan's Kyodo News reported, quoting Foreign Minister Taro Aso.
"We have received such information, but I cannot tell you the details," Kyodo quoted Aso as saying in a news conference.
The U.S. on Monday confirmed North Korea conducted an underground nuclear explosion on Oct. 9 with a yield of less than one kiloton.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said the analysis of air samples collected on Wednesday, two days after the reported nuclear test by Pyongyang, "detected radioactive debris which confirms that North Korea conducted an underground nuclear explosion in the vicinity of Punggye on Oct. 9, 2006."
Seoul, Oct. 17 (Yonhap News)
S. Korea, Japan have info on N. Korea's possible 2nd nuclear test |
