Is North Korea preparing 3rd nuclear test?

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2010-11-19 09:20
An image showing North Korea's main nuclear site in Yongbyon and a cooling tower [right] before it was demolished in June, 2008
South Korea's foreign ministry said Thursday it was closely watching the site where North Korea tested an atomic bomb last year, but had no evidence yet that another test was being planned.
A spokesman was commenting on a report and satellite photos published by Jane's Defence Weekly, which show work under way at the site in the northeastern province of North Hamkyong.
"No tangible evidence has been confirmed on whether or not the North is preparing for a third nuclear test," the spokesman told AFP.
"We have been closely monitoring the North's nuclear facilities including Punggye-ri, and are closely sharing information with related countries."
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2010-11-19 09:23
A satellite image of the North Korea nuclear facility
The British magazine on November 3 published photos taken on October 16 which it said showed at least six vehicles or pieces of equipment at the site's operation base.
There also appeared to be a 12-metre-wide (40-foot) pile of excavated debris in the base's staging area, apparently indicating that tunnelling was under way.
An excavated area 150 metres south of the test facility appeared to have been expanded since an October 2009 comparison image.
And an image shot on October 27 indicated ground had been dug at two tunnel entrances leading to the previous underground testing site, the magazine said.
The images taken by US firm DigitalGlobe also show long scars in the ground suggesting that power line trenches or connected power lines were being laid.
Jane's concluded it was too early to say whether another test was imminent.
The North conducted its first nuclear test on October 9, 2006 and a second one on May 25 last year at Punggye-ri.
Scientists said last year's blast was about four times more powerful than the first, but still far less than that of a crude Hiroshima-type bomb. (AFP)
Pan Rui, a professor from the Center of American Studies at Fudan University, said it would not be a surprise if a third nuclear test happened.
"If Pyongyang carries out the third test, it would likely be aimed at helping boost the stature of young leader Kim Jong-un - earlier appointed to senior military and political posts," Pan said.
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2010-11-19 09:25
Is North Korea preparing 3rd nuclear test?