Seoul, Sep 24 (V7N) – North Korea is reportedly ready to conduct its seventh nuclear weapons test, potentially timed around the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November, according to a senior South Korean official. Shin Won-sik, head of South Korea's presidential national security office, made the claim in an interview on YTN TV, further fuelling concerns about Pyongyang's continued defiance of international sanctions.

Shin stated that North Korea has long maintained its preparations for nuclear tests and is merely awaiting the directive from its leader, Kim Jong Un. He also emphasised that while North Korea is advancing its nuclear capabilities, additional tests are necessary for achieving nuclear miniaturisation, a critical step for developing operational nuclear warheads.

The timing of any potential test remains uncertain, but Shin noted that Pyongyang is likely to assess the strategic benefits before proceeding. He speculated that North Korea could make its move either before or after the U.S. presidential election, which is scheduled for November 5, with early voting already underway in several states.

Earlier this month, North Korea released images of its uranium enrichment facilities for the first time, revealing a centrifuge believed to produce fuel for nuclear bombs. This has sparked concerns that the display could be aimed at influencing the U.S. election. North Korea's uranium enrichment activities have long been a point of tension, with multiple facilities believed to be operational, though their exact locations remain undisclosed.

In 2010, North Korea invited foreign scientists to visit its Yongbyon centrifuge facility, but the country has since kept most of its enrichment operations secret.

Experts suggest that North Korea's actions could have a broader geopolitical impact, potentially influencing U.S. voter sentiment and shifting the political dynamics ahead of the election.

As the international community closely monitors the situation, the potential for renewed nuclear testing raises the stakes for global security and diplomatic efforts to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

END/RH/AJ