North Korea ‘Preparing for Fifth Nuclear Test’

Park Geun-hye, the president of South Korea, has said that North Korea is preparing to conduct its fifth nuclear test.

According to South Korea’s Yonhapnews Agency, the country’s president did not provide further details on the matter, but has ordered the military to remain on standby.

Previously, reports had been published in local media about increased activity at North Korea’s nuclear facility “Punggye-ri.”

North Korea’s previous nuclear test was conducted at the same location.

Any new nuclear test conducted by North Korea would be in response to fresh sanctions that were imposed against the country by the United Nations last month.

North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January of last year. The country also launched a ballistic missile into the sea from its eastern coast this month.

These recent tests are the latest in a series of the country’s missile tests, which have heightened tensions in the region.

Experts believe that North Korea does not possess the technology to mount nuclear warheads on intercontinental ballistic missiles. However, it is reported that the country’s nuclear weapons program has made progress in recent years.

Source: BBC Persian