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Pyongyang's test-firing of two mid-range ballistic missiles last week drew international condemnation,
but that would pale in comparison to the response following a fourth nuclear test out of Pyongyang.
The regime threatened as much on Sunday, but for now,... Seoul says all is quiet on the
nuclear front in the North. Our Hwang Sung-hee reports. Despite Pyongyang's
threat to carry out a fourth nuclear test, the South Korean government says there are
no signs to indicate that one is in the works.
"North Korea is capable of conducting nuclear or long-range missile tests at anytime, but
for now, there are no imminent signs of a nuclear test or missile launches."
Protesting a UN condemnation of its medium-range Rodong ballistic missile launches last week,
North Korea raised tensions Sunday by threatening to conduct a new type of nuclear test.
It was the regime's first mid-range missile launch in four years and followed a series
of short-range rocket firings over the past two months.
"We would not rule out a new form of nuclear test for bolstering our nuclear deterrence."
In response, Seoul's foreign ministry warned North Korea to keep in mind that it will pay
the price if it neglects the grave demands from its neighbors and the international community
and pushes ahead with another nuclear test. The United States also urged North Korea to
refrain from disturbing regional peace and security, saying any nuclear test or ballistic
missile launch are a grave violation of UN Security Council resolutions and that it will
only further isolate Pyongyang. According to 38 North, a website run by the
U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University, recent satellite imagery shows mountains north
and south of North Korea's Punggye-ri test site have been excavated into complexes that
could allow for multiple tests. Joel Wit, a former state department official
and editor of the 38 North website, said North Korea is capable of carrying out a test within
four to six weeks, once it decides to do so. Shin Se-min, Arirang News.