Exclusive: North Korea's nuclear test ready "soon"

(Reuters) - North Korea has almost completed preparations for a third nuclear test, a senior source with close ties to Pyongyang and Beijing told Reuters, which will draw further international condemnation following a failed rocket launch if it goes ahead.

The isolated and impoverished state sacrificed the chance of closer ties with the United States when it launched the long-range rocket on April 13 and was censured by the U.N. Security Council, including the North's sole major ally, China.

Critics say the rocket launch was aimed at honing the North's ability to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States, a move that would dramatically increase its military and diplomatic heft.

Now the North appears to be about to carry out a third nuclear test after two in 2006 and 2009.


"Soon. Preparations are almost complete," the source said when asked whether North Korea was planning to conduct a nuclear test.

This is the first time a senior official has confirmed the planned test and the source has correctly predicted events in the past, telling Reuters about the 2006 test days before it happened.

The rocket launch and nuclear test come as Kim Jong-un, the third of his line to rule North Korea, seeks to cement his grip on power.

Kim took office in December and has lauded the country's military might, reaffirming his father's "military first" policies that have stunted economic development and appearing to dash slim hopes of an opening to the outside world.

Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, which have most to fear from any North Korean nuclear threat, are watching events anxiously and many observers say that Pyongyang may have the capacity to conduct a test using highly enriched uranium for the first time.

www.reuters.com...

So this news is on the heels of NK stating it would reduce South Korean government to "ashes". Also, I wonder how the White House will respond, or will they just sit idly by.

According to this thread the US will strike NK if a 3rd nuke test occurs. www.abovetopsecret.com...

Frankly, I think it's just all talk on both sides.

It gets worse than that. China was just complaining about the U.S. having a naval exercise with another one of its neighbors, i forget witch one now. China then gets Russia to have an exercise in the same area with less ships obviously.

So now we have a Mexican standoff all because China thinks it can claim what ever amount of sea it wants for its territorial waters. The island in question is 800 miles away from China and a hundred from the country the U.S. is backing.

The world should tell China to stop using lil kim jr as a bully for its backyard and man the hell up. China would fold in one day if America stopped importing its crap. They can also go shove the sole called debt we own them because honestly Americans never gave anyone the right to deal with China or any other stinking country either when it comes to our debt.

According to this thread the US will strike NK if a 3rd nuke test occurs

Whats it to do with america ffs.
Wish they would mind there own business instead of trying to cause trouble.

North Korea has tested nukes before.. they are basically chest pounding after the embarrassment of their missile flopping off into the ocean the way it did..

If anyone should be afraid it should be South Korea.

I think China is losing patience with North Korea to be quite honest.. They only maintain good relations for trade purposes right now..

reply to post by miniatus


If China were losing patience, then they wouldn't be helping their missle program.

(Reuters) - China has provided some assistance to North Korea's missile program, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Thursday, a week after the hermit state's failed rocket launch triggered international condemnation.

www.reuters.com...

reply to post by miniatus


Actually, they aren't.

Much the opposite. When everyone in the world would hope that China could be a major player in solving this issue, they are actually taking sides with North Korea. And while in the past they would protect them, but slap them in the hand when they got out of line...

...this is what is happening now:

Chinese President Hu lauds North Korea ties despite tension

Chinese President Hu Jintao vowed on Monday to bolster ties with North Korea and backed its young leader, Kim Jong-un, despite an international outcry over the North's recent rocket launch and the possibility of a third nuclear test by the isolated state.

They are committing genocide disguised as "nuclear tests".

How many innocent citizens will the communist regime kill in this test?

The poor people will be transported by train to huge underground "dormitories" and then vaporized by the nuclear explosion.

Originally posted by mike_trivisonno
They are committing genocide disguised as "nuclear tests".

How many innocent citizens will the communist regime kill in this test?

The poor people will be transported by train to huge underground "dormitories" and then vaporized by the nuclear explosion.

I have never heard this one before...where did you come by this information?

Not that I doubt it...but I am curious about where it is originated from!

NBC: North Korean nuclear test could happen as early as Tuesday night

By Richard Engel, Jim Miklaszewski and Robert Windrem, NBC News
North Korea could carry out an underground test of a nuclear weapon as early as Tuesday night as the North's reclusive leadership dramatically tries to up the stakes with the U.S. and the West, U.S. officials told NBC News.

U.S. officials say North Korea may already have an arsenal between 12 and a "few dozen" far more advanced weapons, many more than generally believed.

The officials couldn't be specific on a date for the test, but they told NBC News they were "100 percent" certain there would be a nuclear test within the next two weeks or "at any time."

Tensions between North and South Korea increased this week when Pyongyang threatened to turn Seoul into "ashes." While the North regularly issues such threats, the South seemed to be taking this round of threats more seriously by increasing its security.

ETA: Source

Tick Tock...

Why all the war! Seems like its all part of the agenda.

china helps the u.s, NK helps out china, Nk helping china out helps the u.s. and u.s. helps N.k.. the world tricks and sneeks , like russia giving israel drone codes or whatever

reply to post by UberL33t


Well they must be talking about next Tuesday because it's 7:46am Wednesday (KST) for them. Unless they mean tonight our time.

THIS week

N. Korea likely to conduct nuclear test within week: Russian official

english.kyodonews.jp...