US sees severe consequences if N Korea tests again

WASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) A fresh North Korean nuclear test would have ''severe consequences'' for the six-party process designed to persuade North Korea to abandon its atomic ambitions, the US State Department said today.

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

REUTERS PB KN2137