Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
N. Korea 'appears to prepare for nuclear test'
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
N. Korea 'appears to prepare for nuclear test'
AFP - Monday, February 21
Send
IM Story
Print
N. Korea 'appears to prepare for nuclear test'
SEOUL (AFP) - – North Korea has started digging tunnels at its nuclear test site in apparent preparation for a third atomic detonation, a report said on Sunday.
The North started building at least two new tunnels at its Punggye-ri facility in northeastern North Hamgyong province for a possible underground atomic test, Yonhap news agency said, citing a senior Seoul official.
The report comes after Pyongyang racked up tensions at the end of last year by launching an artillery barrage against a South Korean island and disclosing a new nuclear programme, before going on a charm offensive last month.
South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak Sunday reiterated his calls for the North to adopt a new approach "if it can change... so that North Koreans can also have a chance to breathe".
The communist nation conducted its first two nuclear tests, in October 2006 and May 2009, at the Punggye-ri facility, the second coming the month after it walked out of six-party regional nuclear disarmament talks.
The unnamed official quoted by Yonhap said: "It is obvious evidence that it (the North) is preparing a third nuclear test."
Pyongyang is building more than one tunnel to choose the best one for possible test, as tunnels cannot be reused after a nuclear test blast, the official was quoted as saying.
The official added the possible test would probably be carried out using material from the North's plutonium stockpile, which Seoul and Washington estimate to be enough for six to eight bombs.
Cross-border ties have been icy since Seoul last May accused Pyongyang of sinking a South Korean warship and killing 46 sailors -- a charge the North angrily denied.
The tension soared further when Pyongyang's shelling of a frontier island of Yeonpyeong left four South Koreans, including two civilians, dead in November.
The same month the nuclear-armed North disclosed an apparently operational uranium enrichment plant to visiting US experts.
Pyongyang claims the programme is for peaceful energy development, but outside experts have said it could easily be converted to produce weapons-grade uranium, giving the North a potential second way of making atomic bombs.
Security concerns heightened further after recent satellite images showed Pyongyang was taking steps to test a missile that could eventually reach the US.
An image posted on the website of US defence information group GlobalSecurity.org showed a completed missile launch tower at the North's Tongchang-ri base on the west coast.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned last month that North Korea could have missiles within five years that would directly threaten the United States.
Lee told reporters that 2011 would be a good time for the international community to press the hardline communist country to change its course, stressing Seoul was ready for genuine dialogue to make that happen.
"I'd like to convey the message that this year is a good chance... I think the North is also thinking hard on the issue," he said.
Earlier this month Lee raised the possibility of a summit with the North's leader Kim Jong-Il.
But the first cross-border meeting since the shelling, held on February 9, broke down as Pyongyang officials stormed out after Seoul demanded an apology for the Yeonpyeong bombardment and the sinking of the warship.
The North said there was no need for further cross-border dialogue following the collapse of the talks, which it blamed on "traitors" in the South.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Kiwis maul Kenya, Canadians wilt vs Sri Lanka AFP - 2 hours 24 minutes ago
China cracks down after calls for protests AFP - Monday, February 21
Chinese police snuff out planned Arab-inspired protests Reuters - Monday, February 21
Thailand's 'red shirts' warn of bigger rallies ANN - Monday, February 21
A glimpse of Thailand's winemaking industry ANN - Monday, February 21
News Search
Top Stories
More Libya fighting amid fears of 'catastrophe'
House budget cuts raise spectre of US govt shutdown
Baddeley leads, Couples lurks at Riviera golf open
Mourinho home joy as Real close gap on Barca
Global warming could spur toxic algae, bacteria in seas
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Britain's Fergie 'not invited to royal wedding'
Mourinho home joy as Real close gap on Barca
House budget cuts raise spectre of US govt shutdown
Global warming could spur toxic algae, bacteria in seas
More Libya fighting amid fears of 'catastrophe'
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 20 February 2011 10 wounded in north Iraq demos
Freed German reporters preparing to leave Iran
Palestinians to make fresh UN anti-settlement bid
Bahrain protesters swarm square, police flee
|
U.N. nuclear body may highlight Iran military concerns
Palestinians will not spurn U.S. despite veto: Abbas
|
Eight dead in attack on Afghan bank: official
Iran warns opposition against staging fresh rallies
|
Uganda's Museveni set for win, opposition cry foul
|
Berlusconi pledges justice reform as scandal grows
|
India silence Bangladesh in World Cup opener
Iraqis protest in Kurdish region, capital
|
IOC sees progress in Pyeongchang's games bid
Brumbies defeat Chiefs in opening Super 15 match
New Zealand seek fresh World Cup start
Pakistan spokeswoman resigns over US gunman
India charges Pakistani singer for undeclared cash
Royal designer rocks London fashion week
G20 reaches deal on global indicators: France
China raises gasoline, diesel prices
Acclaimed Iranian film triumphs in Berlin
|
Internet cut off in Libya: Arbor Networks
Death toll from Afghanistan bank bombing hits 35
Merkel braces for battering in German state poll
US-TECH Summary
Bank scandal highlights Afghan corruption
EU launches aid mission over Italy's migrant crisis
Baddeley leads, Couples lurks at Riviera golf open
Libya cuts off Internet service: network monitor
Freed German reporters leave Iran
Mourinho home joy as Real close gap on Barca
After Egypt, Myanmar's Suu Kyi wants Twitter: report
Libya forces shoot dead dozens, talks begin in Bahrain
|
Global warming could spur toxic algae, bacteria in seas
Iran naval ships to cross Suez Canal on Monday
US House cuts $61 bn in spending, shutdown looms
Iranian warships pass through Suez Canal
Iran warns opposition against staging fresh rallies
Libyan regime hits back with deadly crackdown
Uganda's Museveni on verge of huge poll victory
|
Australian soldier and Afghan interpreter killed
Moroccan protests to demand limit to King's powers
|
Iraqis protest in Kurdish region, capital
Kuwait police clash with hundreds of protesters
North Korea digging tunnels for likely nuclear test: report
|
Libya toll rises as Bahrain protesters seize square
Pakistani troops kill up to 15 militants
|
Bahrain protesters camp out in square ahead of talks
|
NATO, Afghan troops killed 64 civilians
India rejoices as minnows struggle at Cricket W.Cup
Libyan Muslim leaders tell security: stop massacre
|
Luhrmann to shoot 'Gatsby' movie in Sydney
Vietnam death boat owner 'had bad record'
Palestinians will not spurn U.S. despite veto
Tycoon drama highlights Asian succession time bombs
Skeletons found on Philippine clan's properties
U.S. entering direct talks with Taliban
Donaire stops Montiel to take bantamweight titles
Poland's cassock-clad priests vie in "papal" ski race
Cabbage and potatoes: Russia's new luxury goods
Belgium artist's home-coming smeared by 'vile' politics
Arrests after China web users call for protests
Nepal's growing middle class takes to the malls
Cricket 'with attitude' for LA gang team
North Korea digging tunnels for likely nuclear test
Tokyo's Haneda airport adds international routes
Bangladesh liberation film opens old wounds
Libya cuts off Internet service: network monitor
|
Women drug mules pay as Philippines fails on jobs
William and Kate invite 1,900 guests to royal wedding
China raises petrol, diesel prices
China's Huawei 'in London Underground phones bid'
Iranian drama triumphs at Berlin fest
South Korea business failures fall sharply in January
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Acclaimed Iranian film triumphs in Berlin
National Christmas tree blown over by fierce winds
Israel eyes Iranian navy move with 'gravity'
Karzai says NATO air raids killed 50 civilians
Egypt banks and pyramids open as some protest in Cairo
Iran ships approach Suez, Israel takes "grave view"
Yemen separatist leader arrested as protests draw fire
|
Israel takes grave view of Iran Suez move
Iran ships yet to enter Suez Canal, official says
Germans vote in Hamburg as Merkel party faces loss
|
NATO probes claims it killed 64 Afghan civilians
Moroccan protesters demand limit on royal powers
|
Death toll in Afghanistan bank raid rises to 38
Iran ships approach Suez, Israel takes grave view
|
Egypt banks and pyramids open as some protest in Cairo
|
Chinese police snuff out planned Arab-inspired protests
Thailand's 'red shirts' warn of bigger rallies
A glimpse of Thailand's winemaking industry
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Nobel winner targets 'loan shark' microlenders
Korea Express stake sale kicks off -report
COMMENTARY: Bangkok set to slide again
60 karaoke bars close down in southern Thailand following bomb attack
Intel plans $5 billion Arizona chip plant by 2013
|
Thailand, Cambodia sign temporary ceasefire deal
Cuisine offers first taste of culture
China aims to become No 1 in welcoming the world
N. Korea 'appears to prepare for nuclear test'
Acclaimed Iranian film triumphs in Berlin
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights