North Korea is 'nuclear test-ready'
2012-12-28 12:00
Seoul - North Korea has repaired extensive rain damage at
its nuclear test facility and could conduct a detonation on two weeks' notice,
a US think-tank said on Friday, citing satellite imagery analysis.
With the UN Security Council debating possible sanctions
against the North following the launch earlier this month of a long-range
rocket, there has been widespread speculation that Pyongyang may carry out its
third nuclear test.
Satellite photos as recent as 13 December show that
Pyongyang is determined to maintain a state of readiness at the Punggye-ri
nuclear test site, the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said.
Following heavy flooding earlier in the year that
destroyed key infrastructure elements, the North has moved quickly to restore
its ability to operate the complex; it said on its closely followed website 38
North.
"They continue to maintain the test site at a state
of readiness that could allow them to conduct a detonation as soon as two weeks
after such a decision is made," the institute reported.
However, it noted a possible "wildcard" in the
form of a stream of water that appears to be coming from the entrance of the
south tunnel at the test facility.
Sanctions
The flow indicates a possible problem with seepage that
could adversely affect a nuclear device and sensors intended to gather data and
monitor the test.
"Whether this problem is under control or has been
solved remains unclear," it said.
The US and its allies have called for tough sanctions
against Pyongyang for the rocket launch which they saw as a disguised ballistic
missile test that violated UN sanctions imposed after the North's previous
nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.
Both of those tests were conducted in the wake of
long-range missile launches.
The North's only major ally and main economic supporter,
China, is resisting any significant tightening of sanctions already in place.
However, analysts say another nuclear test would severely
test Beijing's patience with its unpredictable neighbour.
