Seoul Says North Korea Capable of Next Nuclear Test Anytime

SEOUL, South Korea— North Korea is capable of detonating another nuclear device at its main atomic test site any time it chooses, Seoul officials said Monday, as the United States reportedly planned to send two nuclear-capable supersonic bombers to t...
Seoul Says North Korea Capable of Next Nuclear Test Anytime
A South Korean protester holds a South Korean national flag before a rally denouncing North Korea's latest nuclear test, in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. North Korea is capable of detonating another nuclear device anytime at one of its unused tunnels at the country's main atomic test site, Seoul official said Monday, three days after the country carried out its fifth bomb explosion. AP Photo/Lee Jin-man
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SEOUL, South Korea—North Korea is capable of detonating another nuclear device at its main atomic test site any time it chooses, Seoul officials said Monday, as the United States reportedly planned to send two nuclear-capable supersonic bombers to the South in a show of force against Pyongyang.

The speculation came three days after the North conducted its fifth atomic bomb explosion. Friday’s test was the North’s most powerful test to date, and its claim to have used “standardized” warheads has sparked worries it was making headway in its push to develop small and sophisticated warheads to be topped on missiles.

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.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang Gyun said Monday that South Korea and U.S. intelligence authorities believe North Korea has the ability to detonate another atomic device anytime at one of its tunnels at its main Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where the five previous atomic explosions took place.

South Korean shout slogans during a rally denouncing North Korea's latest nuclear test in Seoul, South Korea, Sept. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
South Korean shout slogans during a rally denouncing North Korea's latest nuclear test in Seoul, South Korea, Sept. 12, 2016. AP Photo/Lee Jin-man