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North Korea possibly preparing for another nuclear test – South Korean Unification Minister

DPRK may launch after April 10 medium-range ballistic missiles

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

SEOUL, April 8 (Itar-Tass) – Seoul has said that there are signs of North Korea’s possible preparations for a fourth underground nuclear test. South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae made such a statement at a meeting with members of the unicameral National Assembly (parliament) of the Republic on Monday.

Official Seoul knows that “there are indications” that the North is planning another nuclear test, the minister said. However, he did not give any details.

Information has been spread in Seoul over the past several hours about the increased activity of personnel and motor vehicles in the area of the Punggye-ri ·nuclear test site in the North Hamgyong Province. All the three previous nuclear tests were held here on February 12, 2013. The South Korean presidential administration has informed that the DPRK may launch after April 10 medium-range ballistic missiles.

In connection with the fact that the North has already transferred the Musudan medium-range missiles to the country’s east coast, the South Korean presidential administration is monitoring the situation.

“Due to the tensions on the Korean Peninsula caused by the North’s loud statements, the South Korean armed forces are on the full alert. However, Seoul is not going to give up easily, agreeing to negotiate, and insists that Pyongyang itself settle the current crisis in inter-Korean relations through an open dialogue,” the KBS state television reported.

On Sunday, the US Department of Defence postponed an intercontinental ballistic missile test planned for next week. The launch was postponed because of the apprehensions that the situation on the Korean Peninsula might aggravate further, according to KBS.

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