South Korean intelligence: North Korea prepares for nuclear test

SANAA, March 27 (YPA) – North Korea appears to be making preparations at its main nuclear test site to quickly conduct its seventh atomic test, South Korean military intelligence said Sunday.

Pyongyang appears to be working on a “shortcut” to a tunnel at its Punggye-ri underground test facility, apparently in an attempt to repair the site, which was shuttered in 2018, the Yonhap news agency reported, quoting unidentified sources in Seoul.

South Korea’s military and intelligence authorities detected signs that the North was focusing on restoring Tunnel 3 in the mountainous northeastern area, the sources said.

Experts believe North Korea may test a small tactical nuclear missile that could be mounted on ballistic missile warheads.

According to available information, the site contains four tunnels that were officially closed in 2018, with demolitions carried out in the presence of a small group of invited foreign journalists.

Some observers said it would be difficult to restore tunnels 1 and 2 immediately, as North Korea had conducted its previous nuclear tests, while tunnels 3 and 4 could be used after restoration work.

Pyongyang has already warned that it intends to lift its suspension of nuclear tests and long-range missiles.

E.M