U S sees severe consequences to new N Korean test

WASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) The United States said today six-party talks on ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions could resume this month but a new atomic test by Pyongyang would have ''severe consequences'' for the diplomatic effort.

''If you did have another test of a nuclear device, that would have severe consequences for the viability of that olitical- diplomatic process -- why would they take such a step at this time?'' State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.

South Korean officials said activity had been spotted near a suspected nuclear test site in North Korea but there was no evidence to suggest Pyongyang was about to test another atomic device.

McCormack declined comment on whether US intelligence has detected fresh activity at suspected North Korean nuclear sites but said the United States, based on its political assessments, had ''no indication'' that North Korea intended to conduct a new test. Pyongyang conducted its first nuclear test on October 9.

While effectively warning North Korea against a fresh test, the US spokesman also said ''the signals are'' that six-party talks that include the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States ''could reconvene this month.'' The six made no progress in their latest round of talks last month in efforts to have the North scrap its nuclear weapons plans in exchange for aid and security guarantees.

REUTERS PB RN2206