SEOUL – North Korea is digging tunnels at a site where it has launched two nuclear tests, suggesting it is preparing a third, the South’s Yonhap news agency said on Sunday. Tensions rose on the divided peninsula when 46 sailors were killed in an attack in March on a South Korean naval vessel. North Korea, which has denied responsibility, shelled the southern island of Yeonpyeong in November, killing four people and sparking fears of possible all-out war.
The North was excavating several tunnels before picking the most suitable, Yonhap said, citing an unnamed South Korean government source. “South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities have spotted North Korea building several other underground mines at Punggye-ri where it had run two nuclear tests,” the unidentified source was quoted as saying. “It is judged to be clear evidence of preparing for a third nuclear test.” Military talks broke down between the two sides this month, dealing a setback to the resumption of six-party aid-for-disarmament negotiations, which North Korea walked out of more than two years ago.
On Sunday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak renewed calls for dialogue between the rivals, saying this year was an “appropriate time” for the North to change its course. And for the second time in three weeks Lee held out the prospect of summit talks. “I would like to give North Korea the message that we are always open (to talks) and (it has) a good chance this year,” Lee said after taking local reporters mountain hiking behind the presidential Blue House.
North Korea has said it wants to build a “great and prosperous nation” by 2012, the centenary of the birth of the state’s founder Kim Il-sung. Analysts say leader Kim Jong-il wants to use the country’s nuclear and missile programmes to herald the success of Kim family rule, and smooth the way for his youngest son Jong-un’s succession.
