N. Korea shows continuing activity at nuclear test site: 38 North

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- Satellite imagery shows continuing activity at North Korea's nuclear test site in a sign that the communist nation keeps up preparation and maintenance of the facility for a new nuclear test, a website monitoring the North said Friday.

Commercial satellite imagery taken of the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site on Feb. 18 shows continued low-level activity at many locations within the installation, said 38 North, a website specializing on analysis on North Korea.

"In particular, the shifting of supplies and equipment as well as additional changes in the texture and pattern of small sections of the tailings pile at the North Portal indicate continuing work inside the test tunnels," it said.

"These activities suggest continued preparation and maintenance of this portal for use in a new nuclear test. Should the decision be made to do so, North Korea could probably move forward with a nuclear test in short order but it remains unclear when such a test might take place," 38 North said.

jschang@yna.co.kr
(END)