South Korea says North completed prep for new nuclear test
Source: AP
By MATTHEW LEE
WASHINGTON (AP) — South Korea’s top diplomat said Monday that North Korea has completed preparations for a new nuclear test and that only a political decision by the country’s top leadership can prevent it from going forward.
After talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin said the North would pay a price if it goes ahead, as feared, with what would be its seventh nuclear test in the coming days.
“North Korea has completed preparations for another nuclear test and I think only a political decision has to be made,” Park said. Prior to Monday, U.S. and South Korean officials had said only that the North was nearing completion of such preparations.
“If North Korea ventures into another nuclear test, I think it will only strengthen our deterrence and also international sanctions,” Park said. “North Korea should change its mind and make the right decision.”
South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin speaks during a news conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington, Monday, June 13, 2022. (Roberto Schmidt/Pool via AP)
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-antony-blinken-north-government-and-politics-d3a28902b9c06eaa47c3199418ccf5f7
