US: No sign of second North Korean nuclear test
The US military has detected no signs that North Korea is preparing a second nuclear test, it was reported today.
Military officials gave the intelligence assessment to their South Korean counterparts during annual defence talks in Washington last week.
North Korea undertook its first nuclear test on October 9 and has threatened to take further “physical measures”.
The communist state did not specify what those measures would be, but another nuclear test has been widely believed to be a possibility.
Earlier this month, US media reported that North Korea may be preparing a second test, citing suspicious activity at a suspected test site in the country’s north-east.
South Korean media have reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il told a visiting Chinese presidential envoy last week that he would hold off on more tests unless the United States “harasses” his country.
Washington is trying to muster international pressure on North Korea as it seeks to enforce the UN Security Council resolution that calls for sanctions to punish Pyongyang for the nuclear test.
North Korea has long accused the US of plotting to overthrow the regime in Pyongyang, contending that it needs a “nuclear deterrent” to counter the US move.
US officials have repeatedly said they have no intention of invading North Korea.
