North Korea is constructing a structure at a site where the communist country is believed to have carried out a nuclear bomb test earlier this month, military sources said Saturday.
The North announced on Oct. 9 that it had successfully performed an underground nuclear bomb test. There have been reports about signs of the reclusive regime preparing for another experiment in Punggye-ri in North Korea's northeast.
"It is clear that there have been movements in Punggye-ri since the Oct. 9 nuclear device test," a military source said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
"South Korean military and intelligence authorities are keeping tabs on the movements to check whether the North is gearing up for a second nuclear test," he said.
However, the authorities failed to verify whether such activities are related to the North's preparation for a second nuclear test or just camouflage, the source said.
Another military source said a second atomic test is not close at hand despite the movements in the suspected test area.
"It is certain that the North is doing something in the area, but I do not belive the North's second nuclear test is imminent," he said.
North Korea's nuclear test has prompted the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution to impose sanctions on the country.
Multilateral talks on the North's nuclear disarmament have been stalled as Pyongyang boycotts them, citing what it calls hostile U.S. policy toward it.
Seoul, Oct. 28 (Yonhap News)
N. Korea building new structure on nuke test site: military sources |
