hankyoreh

By Choi Hyun-june, staff reporter

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin said that the North has completed its preparations for a fourth nuclear test at the site near Punggye Village, but that there is no evidence that a test is imminent.

Kim also responded to a question about signs of a long-range missile launch by the North. “We have also detected basic preparations for a missile launch near Dongchang Village,” Kim said.

“The timing of these things [missile launches and nuclear tests] is decided by North Korean leaders,” Kim said. “As we have seen in the past, long-range missile launches and nuclear tests appear to be linked. We will be closely watching and making preparations.”

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