N. Korea could be delaying nuclear test because of China, COVID-19: official
SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korea could be pushing back what would be its seventh nuclear test in consideration of China's political calendar and its own situation with COVID-19, a presidential official said Wednesday.
North Korea has been reported for weeks to be preparing for a nuclear test at its testing ground in Punggye-ri, with the only remaining step being a "political decision" by leader Kim Jong-un.
"I think the China variable and the COVID-19 variable are playing into this," the official told reporters, citing the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in the fall.
"It appears that North Korea is making a considerable effort out of concern for the major chaos that would be caused by a seventh nuclear test, although we haven't been able to verify it," he said.
China is North Korea's only major political ally and economic benefactor, meaning that staging a large provocation ahead of a key political event could hurt Pyongyang's relations with Beijing.
The other factor behind holding off could be the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak in the North, the official added.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Police officer admits to leaking investigation report into late actor Lee Sun-kyun
-
'Parasyte: The Grey' adapts Japanese alien invasion manga to Korean setting
-
S. Korea, U.S. launch task force to block N. Korea's nuclear, missile programs
-
N. Korean leader sends condolences to Putin over Russian concert hall shooting
-
Defense chief calls for defending NLL on anniversary of 2010 warship sinking
-
'Parasyte: The Grey' adapts Japanese alien invasion manga to Korean setting
-
Police officer admits to leaking investigation report into late actor Lee Sun-kyun
-
N. Korean leader sends condolences to Putin over Russian concert hall shooting
-
N.K. leader's sister says Japan's PM proposed summit with Kim
-
Key N. Korean officials pay condolence visit to Russian Embassy in Pyongyang over Moscow attack
-
Yellow dust advisories issued for parts of S. Korea
-
Yellow dust storm blankets S. Korea; fine dust advisory issued
-
(5th LD) UNSC fails to extend mandate of expert panel monitoring N.K. sanctions enforcement
-
Indonesian aerospace firm CEO visits S. Korea amid probe over employee's alleged KF-21 data theft
-
Super Junior's Ryeowook to marry former Tahiti member Ari