N. Korea “digging tunnel at nuke test site with an eye to more tests”October 30, 2015 - 09:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - North Korea is digging a new tunnel at its nuclear test site with an eye to conducting more tests of atomic devices in the future, a South Korean news report said on Friday, October 30 two days before the leaders of the South, Japan and China meet in Seoul, according to Reuters. U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter also makes a separate visit on Sunday to discuss response to the North's missile and nuclear threat with South Korean defense officials. The site is on North Korea's east coast where three previous nuclear tests were conducted, and there's an active movement of workers and vehicles working on a new tunnel, Yonhap news agency quoted an unnamed government source as saying. "The fact that they are constructing a new tunnel indicates the intention is to conduct a nuclear test at some point," the source was quoted as saying. There was no evidence to conclude the preparation was for an imminent test, the source added. South Korea's Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee declined to confirm the report but said the country and the United States are closely watching for any nuclear activity by the North. The report comes as the leaders of South Korea, Japan and China are scheduled to meet in Seoul on Sunday where reigning in the North's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction is likely to be discussed. North Korea has been steadily working on its nuclear program, but a fourth nuclear test was not seen as imminent, particularly after it agreed with South Korea in August to work toward easing tensions on the peninsula and improve ties. The North has conducted three nuclear tests, the last in 2013, drawing international condemnation including from China, its main diplomatic ally, and is under UN sanctions that ban trade that can fund its arms programs. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |