N Korea beefs up guard at nuke test site

Seoul, Oct 14: North Korea has increased security around a site where it conducted a nuclear test last year, South Korea's news agency reported today.

''Intelligence information was obtained that guards were being reinforced at the nuclear test site, along with (additional fencing),'' it quoted an unnamed South Korean government source as saying.

''South Korea and US authorities are keeping a close watch on the area and analysing the North's intentions.'' But the source dismissed the likelihood of a second test at the Gilju site in North Hamkyung province, citing Pyongyang's pledge to the international community to disable its nuclear facilities.

North Korea marked the first anniversary of the nuclear test on October 9 that made it globally ostracised and the target of painful sanctions.

Reuters>