Second NKorea nuclear test depends on US

Tokyo, Jan 13: North Korea's decision on whether to conduct asecond nuclear test depends on the actions of the United States, aNorth Korean official was quoted as saying by a Japanese lawmaker,Kyodo news agency reported today.

Concerns have risen recently that North Korea may be readying asecond nuclear test after an October 9 test that sparked internationalcondemnation and punitive UN-backed sanctions.

Taku Yamasaki, a former deputy leader of Japan's ruling LiberalDemocratic Party, told a news conference in Beijing following afive-day visit to Pyongyang that the remarks were made by Song Il-ho,North Korea's ambassador in charge of diplomatic normalisation talkswith Japan.

On the chance of another nuclear test, Yamasaki quoted Song assaying: ''It's up to US actions in the future,'' Kyodo reported,without giving further details.

The United States and North Korea have tentatively agreed to meetduring the week starting on January 22 to discuss a crackdown on theNorth's finances that has stalled six-party talks on Pyongyang'snuclear plans.

North Korea has demanded the financial sanctions be lifted as acondition for progress on the nuclear issue, but Washington says thetwo issues are not linked.

The last round of six-party talks, which include the UnitedStates, Japan, Russia and China as well as the two Koreas, was held inDecember but failed to make progress. US officials have said the talkscould resume later this month.

Yamasaki said that he and Song agreed that it was desirable forthe nuclear talks to resume immediately after the financial talks withthe United States, Kyodo added.

But Song expressed strong opposition to Japanese economicsanctions instituted following Pyongyang's nuclear test, saying thatNorth Korea has no intention of resuming discussions on normalisingdiplomatic ties with Japan, Kyodo said.

The Japanese government had expressed disapproval of Yamasaki'strip, saying that it was ''undesirable'' at a time when Tokyo wasimposing sanctions on Pyongyang.

Reuters>