North Korea said to be preparing for nuclear test

Analysts in the region have previously said that the North might conduct a fourth test to master the technology to build a nuclear warhead small enough to mount on an intercontinental ballistic missile, although the North says it already has such know-how.

During their summit meeting in Washington last week, President Obama and President Park Geun-hye of South Korea warned against another nuclear test by the North and urged the country to rejoin the long-suspended six-nation talks on ending its nuclear program.

Republican Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee told a hearing that under successive U.S. administrations, spanning several decades, North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs have continued to advance, while its people suffer at the “brutal” hands of the regime in Pyongyang.