South Korean intelligence agency “North Korea's nuclear test ready for missile launch signs”

South Korean intelligence has said that North Korea has completed all preparations for its seventh nuclear test and is only looking at the timing of its implementation.

This was revealed by the National Intelligence Service, a Korean intelligence agency, at the National Assembly's Information Committee on the 19th.

According to the attending lawmakers, the National Intelligence Service has been talking about North Korea's move toward the seventh nuclear test since September 2017, as the infection of the new coronavirus is spreading in the country. However, he said that all the preparations at the nuclear test site in Punggye-ri in the northeastern part of the country have been completed, and that only the timing of implementation is being considered.

In addition, there were reports that signs of missile launches were also captured.

Prior to this, U.S. President Joe Biden said on the 18th that North Korea may launch long-range ballistic missiles and test nuclear weapons while President Biden visits both Japan and South Korea from the 20th. It is showing a view, and the countries concerned are becoming more vigilant.

Meanwhile, the NIS also reported on the status of infection with the new coronavirus in North Korea, and revealed that it estimates that the peak of the spread of the infection will be from the end of this month to the beginning of next month.

First meeting with Director of National Security Bureau Akiba, Director of National Security Office of South Korea

On the morning of the 19th, Akiba, the director of the National Security Bureau, had the first telephone conversation with Kim Sung-han, the director of the National Security Office, who took office with the inauguration of the new government in South Korea.

In this, they shared the recognition that North Korea's strengthening of nuclear and missile activities, such as repeated launches of missiles including ICBM = intercontinental ballistic missile class, is a serious challenge to the international community. We agreed that cooperation between Japan and South Korea and the three countries of Japan, the United States and South Korea is important.

In addition to responding to the abduction issue, they confirmed that they will work closely to improve the chilled relationship between Japan and South Korea.