CNN "US May Be Ready for North Korea's Nuclear Test by the End of This Month"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] U.S. defense and intelligence agencies have concluded that North Korea could complete preparations for an underground nuclear test this month, CNN reported on the 5th (local time), citing multiple government officials.

According to the report, U.S. authorities have concluded that the North Korean Kim Jong-un regime has been preparing for a nuclear test at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, and is ready to conduct the test by the end of this month. If North Korea carries out the nuclear test this time, it will be the country's seventh nuclear test and the first in five years since the sixth nuclear test on September 6, 2017.

CNN reported that recent satellite images captured movements of personnel and vehicles near the test site, but U.S. authorities have not confirmed whether nuclear material has been placed in one of the underground tunnels at the North Korean test site under surveillance.

U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit South Korea and Japan later this month. North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test on September 9, 2016, shortly after former President Barack Obama attended the ASEAN summit in Laos and returned.

On the same day, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about the possibility of provocations by North Korea ahead of President Biden's visit to South Korea and the potential impact on his visits to South Korea and Japan. She responded, "There will, of course, be security assessments as usual during the President's trip," adding, "However, regarding the upcoming trip in a few days, that (North Korea's missile launch) is not a concern."

Earlier, CNN reported last month that satellite image analysis showed North Korea had begun tunnel excavation work at Punggye-ri. In 2018, North Korea blew up the entrance to the underground nuclear test site at Punggye-ri, but it has recently been understood that tunnels have been dug below the entrance to connect to the main tunnels.