Washington warns of a 'possible' North Korean nuclear test

The US special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, warned today that Pyongyang appears to have completed its preparations for what will be its seventh nuclear test, which could take place at any time.


Kim's comments come after officials in Seoul said North Korea may conduct a nuclear test as early as this week.


"In terms of timing, I don't have anything more than that," Kim added in a conference call.


"Obviously they have made preparations at Punggye-ri and I understand they can conduct tests at any time," he added, referring to North Korea's main nuclear test site.


The United States has warned North Korea of ​​"severe punishment" if Pyongyang conducts a new nuclear test.


Washington and the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency said there were indications that Pyongyang could soon conduct its first nuclear test since 2017.


US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said, according to Bloomberg News, in Meeting with her South Korean counterpart: "There will be a quick and strong response to such an experiment."


She said, "Any nuclear tests would represent a complete violation of UN Security Council resolutions," noting that conducting such a test would destabilize global security.


Sherman did not go into details of specific measures, but indicated that the United States could work with its allies to impose sanctions.

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