North Korea threatens nuclear test targeting U.S.
- 11 years ago
North Korea has dramatically stepped up threats against the US - the country it calls its 'sworn enemy'
State television said the country will carry out rocket launches and a nuclear test that targets the United States.
The announcement came a day after the U.N. Security Council agreed to a U.S.-backed resolution to censure North Korea for the last rocket launched in defiance of U.N. sanctions.
The new threat was issued whilst the U.S. special representative for North Korea, Glyn Davies, was visiting Seoul for talks on the North.
North Korea has rejected proposals to restart the talks aimed at reining in its nuclear capacity.
Davies warned Pyongyang against carrying out the nuclear test plan.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR NORTH KOREA POLICY GLYN DAVIES SAYING:
"Whether they will test it or not, we hope they don't, we call on them not to do it. It will be highly provocative. It will set back the course of trying to find a solution to these long-standing problems that have prevented the peninsula from becoming reunited. I think it's very important that they don't
South Korea's defense ministry believes the North is "technically ready" for a third nuclear test and said they are closely monitoring Pyongyang's military movement.
But its long-range rockets are not seen as capable of reaching the United States mainland and it is not believed to have the technology to mount a nuclear warhead on a long-range missile
North Korea gave no time-frame for the coming test.
State television said the country will carry out rocket launches and a nuclear test that targets the United States.
The announcement came a day after the U.N. Security Council agreed to a U.S.-backed resolution to censure North Korea for the last rocket launched in defiance of U.N. sanctions.
The new threat was issued whilst the U.S. special representative for North Korea, Glyn Davies, was visiting Seoul for talks on the North.
North Korea has rejected proposals to restart the talks aimed at reining in its nuclear capacity.
Davies warned Pyongyang against carrying out the nuclear test plan.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR NORTH KOREA POLICY GLYN DAVIES SAYING:
"Whether they will test it or not, we hope they don't, we call on them not to do it. It will be highly provocative. It will set back the course of trying to find a solution to these long-standing problems that have prevented the peninsula from becoming reunited. I think it's very important that they don't
South Korea's defense ministry believes the North is "technically ready" for a third nuclear test and said they are closely monitoring Pyongyang's military movement.
But its long-range rockets are not seen as capable of reaching the United States mainland and it is not believed to have the technology to mount a nuclear warhead on a long-range missile
North Korea gave no time-frame for the coming test.