U.S. Defense officials: Satellite photos suggest second North Korea nuclear test
{{date|October 18, 2006}}
{{North Korea nuclear program}}
A senior official with the [[United States]] Department of Defense has expressed concern over activity being monitored at two sites within [[North Korea]], saying that satellite imagery suggested preparations for a second nuclear test. [[Japan]] and [[South Korea]] have also indicated that they have intelligence indicating possible preparations for another test.

A senior South Korean official, however, told journalists that South Korea has not yet confirmed any imminent signs of a second test and said that a second test is unlikely to occur immediately.

The U.S. official spoke to the [[Associated Press]] on the condition of anonymity, reportedly because the matter involved intelligence gathering. 

The satellite photos show that ground at one site is being prepared for construction, while the other site already shows signs of construction activity, according to the U.S. defense official. The official said that such activity suggested preparation for a second {{w|nuclear weapon|nuclear weapons}} test.

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2580440
|title=N. Korea Apparently Preparing Nuke Test
|author=Associated Press
|pub=American Broadcasting Company
|date=October 18, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6059240.stm
|title=US stands firm over NK sanctions
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=October 18, 2006}}

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{{Archived}}
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North Korea]]
[[Category:South Korea]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Japan]]
[[Category:Korean Peninsula]]
[[Category:Nuclear proliferation]]
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
A senior official with the United States Department of Defense has expressed concern over activity being monitored at two sites within North Korea, saying that satellite imagery suggested preparations for a second nuclear test. Japan and South Korea have also indicated that they have intelligence indicating possible preparations for another test.

A senior South Korean official, however, told journalists that South Korea has not yet confirmed any imminent signs of a second test and said that a second test is unlikely to occur immediately.

The U.S. official spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, reportedly because the matter involved intelligence gathering. 

The satellite photos show that ground at one site is being prepared for construction, while the other site already shows signs of construction activity, according to the U.S. defense official. The official said that such activity suggested preparation for a second nuclear weapons test.
Politics and conflicts United States North Korea South Korea North America Asia Japan Korean Peninsula Nuclear proliferation Nuclear weapons