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North Korea is likely to complete preparations for a nuclear test in Punggye-ri by the end of this month, the US State Department said.
Tensions are escalating ahead of the inauguration of a new government and US President Biden’s visit to South Korea.
Correspondent Lee Yong-ju of New York.
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This is a photo of North Korea’s Punggye-ri nuclear test site taken by a civilian satellite on the 27th of last month.
A new entrance is drilled right next to Tunnel 3, which has been in ruins since it was blown up in May 2018.
Eight buildings including prefabricated warehouses were built around it, and piles of stones are scattered between the buildings.
A cargo vehicle was also spotted parked in front of the command center with a blue roof.
North Korea is focusing on restoring Tunnel 3, which is in good condition as it has never conducted a nuclear test.
The US State Department said that North Korea is likely to complete preparations for another nuclear test by the end of this month.
He also said that such an evaluation is consistent with the public position of the North Korean authorities.
Chairman Kim Jong-un has recently raised the level even further by mentioning the possibility of a preemptive use of nuclear weapons.
Ahead of President Biden’s visit to South Korea on the 20th, North Korea spurred preparations for a nuclear test, and the United States officially confirmed this.
If North Korea conducts a nuclear test on or around the 20th, the dialogue gap will inevitably become longer.
This is Lee Yong-joo of MBC News from New York.
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