[Courtesy of Xinhua News]
North Korea is able to conduct another nuclear test "on short notice", but recent satellite imagery showed little evidence that there would be a nuclear or mobile ballistic missile test soon, 38 North, the website of a US research institute, reported.
The report followed news reports on the possibility of an impending fifth nuclear or mobile ballistic missile test to celebrate the April 15 birthday of North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of leader Kim Jong-un.
"Recent commercial satellite imagery shows little evidence that Pyongyang is planning a nuclear test in the next few days," Jack Liu said in an article posted on the 38 North website.
"Nevertheless, that possibility can not be entirely ruled out since the North may be able to conduct a nuclear test on short notice with few indications that it intends to do so."
Imagery taken on April 9 indicates the presence of a vehicle at the site of the fourth nuclear test in January, as well a few vehicles around it, but there is no apparent activity, 38 North said.
The presence of the vehicle indicates continued activity at the site for North Korea's nuclear test, it said.
North Korea's nuclear and long-range rocket tests this year triggered tough UN sanctions, but its leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to step up the development of atomic bombs, ordering nuclear weapons to be ready for use at any time.
Kim has also vowed to launch more rockets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, saying North Korea has acquired re-entry technology, despite doubts about its ability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
