Amid growing speculation that North Korea will conduct a third nuclear test, sources
in South Korea are now pointing to a lack of activity at North Korea's nuclear testing
site as a sign that the test could happen soon.
The North Korean leadership, meanwhile, says it will keep making and launching long-range
rockets.
Choi You-sun has this report.
Government and military sources in South Korea say activity at North Korea's nuclear testing
ground in the country's far north seems to have been suspended since last Friday.
While it's difficult to tell whether or not the withdrawal of manpower and equipment is
temporary, sources say the break in activity could actually mean that the test day is near.
Keeping in mind that the Lunar New Year holiday extends to Tuesday in the North, officials
in Seoul are watching the situation closely, as the lack of activity could be part of Pyongyang's
strategy to deceive observers.
In fact, a high-ranking official in Seoul has said that if the North is planning for
a test, and the South and the U.S. believe it's still likely, there's a good chance it'll
happen this week.
On Monday, the Central Committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party reaffirmed its intention
to continue developing and launching satellites mounted on long-range rockets, which the international
community considers a cover for a ballistic missile test.
In a move likely aimed at consolidating the forces within the regime ahead of former leader
Kim Jong-il's birthday on February 16th, the politburo vowed to ready itself for high intensity
action to protect North Korea's security and sovereignty.
A Washington Post editorial said the biggest security threat President Barack Obama faces
in his second-term lies within North Korea, where young leader Kim Jong-un has shown the
determination to develop nuclear arms capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
Choi You-sun, Arirang News.