South Korea says North nuclear test highly probable

North Korea will likely conduct a third nuclear test following its successful launch of a long-range rocket in the face of global condemnation, a top South Korean official said Friday.

“A nuclear test is highly probable, and judging from analysis of intelligence, significant preparations have been made,” Unification Minister Yu Woo-Ik told a parliamentary committee, without elaborating.

“North Korea has a track record of conducting nuclear tests following missile launches whose aim was to develop a delivery system for nuclear warheads,” Yu said.

The North’s previous nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 were both carried out within months of long-range rocket launches.

Pyongyang insists Wednesday’s launch was a purely scientific mission aimed at placing a polar-orbiting earth observation satellite in space, but most of the world saw it as a disguised ballistic missile test.

The UN Security Council has condemned the latest launch and warned of possible measures over what the US called a “highly provocative” act.

Another nuclear test would prompt a much stronger reaction, including from China which, as the North’s only major ally and main economic benefactor, has previously resisted calls for tougher sanctions against Pyongyang.

Related Topic Tags

• north korea, nuclear program, nuclear test, nuclear weapons, south korea

Related Defense, Military & Aerospace Forum Discussions

• Royal New Zealand Air Force
• The Royal Navy Discussions and Updates
• The Indonesian Army
• Naval Version of MLRS
• Assad's strategic options
• Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates
• ASEAN (and ADMM Plus) Military Exercises
• Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
• Will modern warfare eliminate the use of artillery?
• F-18E/F good in air to air?
• Royal Air Force [RAF] discussions and updates
• Russian Air Force News & Discussion
• New Zealand Army Organisation
• Benefits and limitations of low-frequency radar systems?
• Manning trial; Apache gun camera