North Korea tests ‘nuclear detonation device’, says Seoul

North Korea conducted a test of a “nuclear detonation device,” a senior South Korean presidential official said on Wednesday, warning that a nuclear test could be imminent.

“Operating tests of a nuclear detonation device are being detected in preparation for the seventh nuclear test” North Korea, said Kim Tae-hyo, deputy director of South Korea’s Nuclear Security Office.

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These experiments are being conducted far from the North’s key nuclear test site, which is closely watched by Seoul, it added.

US and South Korean officials have warned for weeks that Pyongyang could soon conduct its seventh nuclear test. On Wednesday it fired three missiles, including one that could be its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-17.

The latest releases came shortly after US President Joe Biden wrapped up a visit to South Korea on Sunday.

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Despite facing a recent outbreak of covid-19, Pyongyang has resumed construction of a long-idle nuclear reactor, according to new satellite images.

“The North Korean authorities are close to the final stage of preparing a nuclear test with the scale and quality that they desire,” Kim told reporters.

“The chance of an imminent nuclear test, in a day or two, is low but after that there is certainly a chance,” he added.

The office linked to the South Korean presidency did not provide further details of the nuclear detonation device.

Regarding the three firings on Wednesday, Kim said that “the first launch was determined to be the new ICBM, the Hwasong-17,” which the North tried to test previously.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently insisted on defending his military modernization program after carrying out nearly 20 weapons tests this year.

Analysts have warned that Kim might accelerate his plans for nuclear tests to distract the North Korean population from the current outbreak of the coronavirus.

Source: Elcomercio

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