N.Korea preps for 3rd nuclear test: US-based website

A U.S.-based website on North Korea says a chain of events has been detected suggesting that Pyongyang is preparing for a third nuclear test.

38north.org, based in Washington, included Saturday queues of vehicles transporting soil that appeared to have been excavated from a nuclear test tunnel in Punggye-ri, North Hamkyong Province. North Korea used the site to conduct its previous nuclear tests. The website released three satellite photos of Punggye-ri taken on March 8, March 27 and April 18.

The imagery taken March 8 after a snowfall showed that a central courtyard of a previous test site and road system around the site were entirely snow-free, unlike other areas surrounding the facility. Vehicle movement was also detected, suggesting their link with an imminent nuclear test, as well as piles of spoil taken from within the tunnel near the site.

The website said, “A satellite photo taken on March 27 shows that there is new vehicle tracking on the spoil pile from the road to the tunnel portal and small pieces of unidentified equipment were also newly placed on top of that pile.”

A satellite image taken on April 18 illustrated mining carts carrying spoil excavated from the tunnel and an unidentified object near the piles. In particular, a drainage ditch was detected that passes water flow from a gully around the spoil pile. The ditch is believed to be intended to prevent the tunnel entrance from getting muddy and making it more difficult to work in the area.

The Associated Press quoted Joel Wit, editor of the website, as saying, “While it`s very clear from looking at these photos that the North has stepped up preparations for a nuclear test, it`s unclear exactly when the blast will occur.” The North carried its previous two nuclear tests at the Punggye-ri site.

yhchoi65@donga.com