SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea braced Friday for a possible new nuclear test by North Korea, which a U.S. official said might occur despite looming U.N. sanctions on the communist state for its second atomic blast in May.
Given the North's track record of provocative behavior and defiance of the United Nations, "common sense" indicates that it is preparing for another nuclear test, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said Friday.
"Recently, we have braced ourselves against all predictable possibilities regarding nuclear or missile situations," Won said.
However, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted an unidentified intelligence official as saying there was no immediate indication that North Korea was restoring a site where its second underground blast took place on May 25. It conducted its first nuclear explosion in October 2006.
In Washington, a U.S. official said late Thursday that North Korea may be preparing for a third nuclear test. The counterproliferation official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss the unreleased information, would not provide details regarding the assessment.
A third nuclear test would likely alienate North Korea further from its allies China and Russia, which have agreed with Western nations on imposing new U.N. sanctions to curb the North's weapons exports and financial dealings. They would also allow inspections of suspect cargo in ports and on the high seas.
The U.N. Security Council was expected to approve a draft of the sanctions document later Friday. North Korea has threatened to retaliate if the sanctions are approved.
North Korea's reclusive regime has defied the international community to push ahead with its nuclear program, which it describes as a deterrent against possible U.S. attacks.
Washington says it has no intention to attack and expresses fears that North Korea is trying to sell its nuclear technology to other nations.
South Korea has dispatched hundreds of marines to two islands near its disputed sea border with North Korea as a precaution against any possible provocation by the North, officials said. The disputed waters were the scene of deadly naval skirmishes in 1999 and 2002.
The officials said, however, that there were no signs of provocation. They spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the issue's sensitivity.
North Korea — which conducted its first underground nuclear test in 2006 — has been escalating its standoff with the United States and South Korea in recent months as its ailing leader Kim Jong Il reportedly prepares to hand over power to his third and youngest son Jong Un.
South Korea's mass-circulation JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported Friday that the North has given Jong Un a title that translates roughly as "Brilliant Comrade," citing a meeting this week in Seoul between South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities.
An unidentified intelligence official quoted by the newspaper said the title means the North will engineer a cult of personality for the junior Kim — much like his father and grandfather — as a "wise leader."
Earlier this week, North Korea's main newspaper Rodong Sinmun said in an editorial that an important issue concerning the nation's fate and its revolution had been resolved.
Cheong Seong-chang of the Sejong Institute think tank outside Seoul said this was an apparent reference to a power transfer.
"It indicates that North Korea has resolved the succession issue," he said.
Associated Press writers Pamela Hess and Foster Klug in Washington, Vijay Joshi in Seoul and Shino Yuasa in Tokyo contributed to this report.
Dugong 'Wuru' eats from a special lettuce birthday cake during the Sydney Aquarium's 21st birthday celebration. AFP/Greg Wood
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