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North Korea 'building tunnel for third nuclear test'
North Korea is digging an underground tunnel in apparent preparation for a new nuclear test, intelligence reports have claimed. Satellite images depict mounds of earth piled at the entrance of a tunnel at a site in northeast Punggye-ri, where two controversial nuclear tests were conducted in 2006 and 2009. Observers fear that the creation of a new tunnel could indicate North Korea's intentions to conduct a third underground nuclear test, a move which would ignite widespread international criticism. "North Korea is covertly preparing for a third nuclear test, which would be another grave provocation," said a report compiled by South Korean intelligence officers and obtained by The Associated Press. "North Korea is digging up a new underground tunnel at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, in addition to its existing two underground tunnels, and it has been confirmed that the excavation works are in the final stages." Suspicions surrounding the possibility of a new nuclear test coincided with peaking regional tensions as North Korea counts down to this week's launch of an observation satellite using a three-stage rocket. Posted by: tipper 2012-04-09 |
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