North Korea reportedly planning nuclear bomb test
{{North Korea nuclear program}}
{{date|August 18, 2006}}

Citing unnamed senior [[US]] {{w|Military of the United States|military}} and {{w|United States Department of State|State Department}} officials, {{w|ABC News}} says that there is new evidence that [[North Korea]] is planning an underground {{w|nuclear test}}. The intelligence is based on "suspicious vehicle movement" as observed from either a {{w|spy satellite}} or a {{w|ockheed U-2|U-2 spy plane}}. 

U.S. State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos declined any comment on "intelligence-related matters" but did say, "A North Korean nuclear test would be an extremely provocative action that would draw universal condemnation from the international community. We continue to consult with friends and allies."

[[South Korea]], responding to the report, said that it does not have proof that North Korea is preparing for a test. "I haven't heard that we have confirmed clear evidence that North Korea is pursuing a nuclear test," Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok told lawmakers at a hearing. Imminent nuclear testing by North Korea has been previously reported over the last two years, including the highly-publicized construction of an alleged observing area, but did not materialize. 

Lee Yong-joon, head of the South Korean Foreign Ministry's task force on the North Korea nuclear issue, which monitors movements in North Korea in cooperation with the U.S., declined to comment directly on the report. The U.S. and South Korea "share all intelligence and evaluations" related to North Korean movements, Lee told [[The Associated Press|AP]].

While not addressing the issue of a possible test detonation, an article on the website of {{w|Korean Central News Agency|KCNA}}, the state news agency of North Korea, urged the U.S. to end its hostile policy toward North Korea and halt its invasion plans.

On July 4, North Korea conducted seven ballistic missile tests, which provoked international condemnation, including a unanimous United Nations Security Council resolution condemning its actions.

North Korea is believed to have enough nuclear material for 10 to 12 nuclear bombs, and has declared itself as having nuclear weapons, but has never tested one. 

{{haveyoursay}}
== Related news ==
*{{wikinews|title=North Korea test-fires missiles|date=July 4, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Satellite imagery shows viewing stand for North Korean nuclear test|date=May 8, 2005}}

== Sources ==
{{wikipediapar|North Korea and weapons of mass destruction}}

*{{source|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-18-north-nukes_x.htm?csp=34
 |title=S. Korea: No evidence of North nuke test
 |author=Associated Press
 |pub=USA Today
 |date=August 18, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2006/200608/news08/18.htm#2
 |title=U.S. Urged to Halt Its Moves to Invade DPRK
 |author=
 |pub=Korean Central News Agency
 |date=August 18, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=2326083&page=1
 |title=N. Korea Appears to Be Preparing for Nuclear Test
 |author=Jonathan Karl
 |pub=ABC News
 |date=August 17, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/17/northkorea.nukes/index.html
 |title=Report: N Korea planning bomb test
 |author=
 |pub=CNN
 |date=August 17, 2006}}

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[[Category:World]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North Korea]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Kim Jong-il]]
[[Category:South Korea]]
[[Category:Korean Peninsula]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
[[Category:Korean Central News Agency]]
Citing unnamed senior US military and State Department officials, nuclear test. The intelligence is based on "suspicious vehicle movement" as observed from either a ockheed U-2|U-2 spy plane. 

U.S. State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos declined any comment on "intelligence-related matters" but did say, "A North Korean nuclear test would be an extremely provocative action that would draw universal condemnation from the international community. We continue to consult with friends and allies."

South Korea, responding to the report, said that it does not have proof that North Korea is preparing for a test. "I haven't heard that we have confirmed clear evidence that North Korea is pursuing a nuclear test," Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok told lawmakers at a hearing. Imminent nuclear testing by North Korea has been previously reported over the last two years, including the highly-publicized construction of an alleged observing area, but did not materialize. 

Lee Yong-joon, head of the South Korean Foreign Ministry's task force on the North Korea nuclear issue, which monitors movements in North Korea in cooperation with the U.S., declined to comment directly on the report. The U.S. and South Korea "share all intelligence and evaluations" related to North Korean movements, Lee told AP.

While not addressing the issue of a possible test detonation, an article on the website of KCNA, the state news agency of North Korea, urged the U.S. to end its hostile policy toward North Korea and halt its invasion plans.

On July 4, North Korea conducted seven ballistic missile tests, which provoked international condemnation, including a unanimous United Nations Security Council resolution condemning its actions.

North Korea is believed to have enough nuclear material for 10 to 12 nuclear bombs, and has declared itself as having nuclear weapons, but has never tested one. 


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