“The assessment by South Korean and United States intelligence is that the North is always ready for an additional nuclear test in the Punggye-ri area (the area where it has carried out its previous tests)”, said defence ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun.
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Last week, North Korea conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test, saying it has the ability to mount a warhead to an intercontinental ballistic missile, prompting fears of an imminent attack.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told senior military officials on Monday that he absolutely can not tolerate North Korea having conducted two nuclear tests since the start of the year.
The United States is reportedly planning to fly one of its bombers over South Korea tomorrow in a show of force against the North following Friday’s fifth nuclear test.
After the test, the North’s nuclear weapons institute said it will take unspecified measures to further boost its nuclear capability, which analysts said hinted at a possible sixth nuclear test.
North Korea repeated its demand for recognition as a “legitimate” nuclear-armed state on Sunday.
The South Korean defense ministry has also presented the “Korea Massive Punishment & Retaliation” to the national assembly, “aimed at wiping a certain section of Pyongyang completely off the map”, Yonhap quoted a military source as saying.
This added to safety concerns, which have been flaring up following high-profile defections of North Koreans including workers of restaurants run by Pyongyang in China and a high-ranking diplomat stationed in Britain.
The Security Council denounced the latest test and said it would begin work immediately on a resolution.
South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said over the weekend that North Korea’s nuclear capability had grown to a “considerable level” and tougher sanctions and greater pressure are needed.
Yonhap said the US military will try again Tuesday to fly two B-1 bombers, capable of carrying 24 atomic weapons, over its main air base near Seoul.
World leaders have lined up to condemn the blast, which was North Korea’s second this year and likely it’s most powerful to date.
“The U.S. stands resolutely with the Republic of Korea and continues its ironclad support”, Christopher Bush, a spokesman at the U.S. military command in South Korea.
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North Korea says its tests are meant to build a nuclear deterrent to defend the country against the United States.
