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New Satellite Images Appear to Show North Korea 'Primed and Ready' for Sixth Nuclear Test

The nuclear test that could be a direct threat to the safety of South Korea, Japan, and the US.

As tensions on the Korean peninsula ratchet up, new analysis suggests the North Korean government is "primed and ready" to conduct its sixth nuclear test—a move which would be seen as a direct threat to the safety of South Korea, Japan, and the US

While the exact timing of such a test is unknown, it could happen as early as Saturday, when the country prepares to celebrate the 105 anniversary of the birth of its founder.

North Korean monitoring service 38 North, which analyzes commercial satellite imagery for changes at the country's Punggye-ri nuclear test site, believes that the all the preparations have been made to conduct a nuclear test—though it points out that the decision to conduct the test can only come from leader Kim Jong Un.

"The activity during the past six weeks is suggestive of the final preparations for a test," Joseph Bermudez, a 38 North analyst, told CNN. Analysis on the 38 North website shows how commercial satellite imagery taken on April 12 "shows continued activity around the North Portal, new activity in the main administrative area, and a few personnel around the site's Command Center."

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