North Korea to carry out nuclear test ‘within DAYS’ to celebrate ‘Victory Day’, US says
THE US military has warned North Korea could be scheduling another nuclear test later this week.
US nuclear policy expert warns of North Korean missile
Launching equipment was detected arriving in Kusong last Friday, and according to a US defence official it signals Kim Jong-un is preparing to to launch another test intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) within days.
Kusong was the site of previous missile test launches, and the next one could coincide with the anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Day on Thursday, which Pyongyang celebrates as “Victory Day”.
It has been the location for other missile tests in the past, including a May test of a KN-17 intermediate range missile which traveled almost 500 miles before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.
US officials think North Korea could launch a nuclear test missile this week
The reclusive regime fired an test ICBM on July 4 which had the potential of reaching Alaska.
However despite the sabre-rattling by North Korea, US military experts doubt the regime can follow through with its claims with only the capability to launch a “limited” attack.
Vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Paul Selva said the July 4 test stopped short of showing North Korea had "the capacity to strike the United States with any degree of accuracy or reasonable confidence of success.”
The test on July 4 saw the Hwasong-14 travel 580 miles before falling into the Sea of Japan.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches as the country prepares to launch its test ICBM
North Korea has launched a number of missile tests in recent months with varying degrees of success.
All have been in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un celebrates after firing the test ICBM
In a diplomatic move aimed at easing tensions in the region South Korean President Moon Jae-in recently issued an invitation to its neighbour for talks in a bid to diffuse the situation.
Pyongyang has yet to reply to the invitation, which will expire on Thursday.