SEOUL, May 25. /TASS/. North Korea has tested a nuclear triggering device, news agency Yonhap reported on Wednesday citing a senior South Korean presidential official.
"Operation tests of a nuclear detonation device, which are to prepare for [the North’s] seventh nuclear test, are being detected," said Kim Tae-hyo, first deputy director of the National Security Office. He said the tests were conducted away from the Punggye-ri site.
While an imminent nuclear test in the next couple of days is unlikely, it is a possibility, for later, he said.
"It's likely the North Korean leader has not decided himself [on the timing]," he added.
According to Seoul, North Korea fired three ballistic missiles on Wednesday. The launches involved an intercontinental ballistic missile and two short-range ballistic missiles, the South Korean military have assessed, saying the launch of a shorter-range missile could have failed. The United States and the Republic of Korea responded to Pyongyang’s tests with two test-firings.
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday wrapped up his Japanese visit preceded by a trip to South Korea. Prior to that, Washington and Seoul said missile launches could coincide with the US leader’s Asian tour. The US and the Republic of Korea also raised the possibility that the North would conduct nuclear tests in May.