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North Korea Might Be Preparing For Another Nuclear Test Soon

Monitoring service 38 North says the country's nuclear test site appears to be "primed and ready."

By: Briana Koeneman

Posted at 10:35 AM, Apr 13, 2017

and last updated 2017-04-13 10:35:07-04

It looks like North Korea is getting ready to conduct another nuclear test.

Monitoring service 38 North analyzed recent satellite images of a North Korean test site.

The group says the area appears to be "primed and ready" to carry out what would be the country's sixth nuclear test since 2006.

One 38 North analyst told CNN, "The activity during the past six weeks is suggestive of the final preparations for a test."

And some experts think that next test might happen soon.

North Korea is getting ready to celebrate the birthday of its founding father, Kim Il-sung, on April 15.

And that could be the perfect opportunity for current leader Kim Jong-un to respond to the Trump administration's tough stance on his country.

One global security expert told CNBC, "It is highly likely that North Korea would engage in some form of provocation, another missile launch or even a sixth nuclear test, on or around April 15."

A day after 38 North's analysis was released, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said North Korea might be able to fire missiles loaded with sarin nerve gas.