South Korea: North Korea may conduct underground nuclear test

South Korea said it is closely monitoring any moves that could be preparations for North Korea's next nuclear test.

Yonhap news agency quoted South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun on April 18 as saying that North Korea may conduct an underground nuclear warhead test in its next test.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches a missile launch. (Photo: Reuters/KCNA)

“According to the latest developments, North Korea is capable of conducting an underground nuclear test and we are closely monitoring everything,” the official was quoted as saying at a press conference.

The four previous nuclear tests conducted by North Korea, including the most recent one in January 2016, were all carried out underground at Punggye-ri in the northeastern part of the country.

Meanwhile, Yonhap news agency quoted South Korean President Park Geun Hye as saying at a regular meeting with her top aides held on April 18 at the Presidential Office that South Korea has detected signs that North Korea is preparing for its fifth nuclear test.

“We are in a situation where we do not know whether North Korea will carry out any provocations to overcome its isolation and strengthen internal unity. However, South Korea has detected signs (of Pyongyang) preparing for a fifth nuclear test,” Ms. Park was quoted as saying.

She also ordered the South Korean military to maintain combat readiness to retaliate strongly in case North Korea carries out provocations.

The above statements were made by the South Korean leader in the context that more than a month ago the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution imposing the strongest sanctions against North Korea because Pyongyang conducted its fourth nuclear test and launched a long-range missile earlier this year.

Ms. Park also warned that North Korea would face stronger sanctions and further isolation if it decided to carry out further provocations./.

According to VOV