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By Yi Whan-woo
Speculation is growing over the high possibility of a sixth nuclear test by North Korea following its successful test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Tuesday.
Pyongyang is purportedly capable of mounting a nuclear warhead on the ICBM, which is believed to be able to reach Alaska.
To fulfill its years-long goal of striking the U.S. mainland, the reclusive state will try to verify through a nuclear test that its nuclear warhead is explosive enough and yet securely attached to the ICBM, according to military officials and analysts.
"I don't want to bet on it but I see a chance of a North Korean nuclear test," Defense Minister Han Min-koo told the National Assembly National Defense Committee in a briefing. "It has been North Korea's goal on the governmental level to weaponize its nuclear power. It appears to be capable of carrying out a nuclear test at any time although there have not been any suspicious activities so far."
Han speculated that North Korea has made a "considerable" advancement in miniaturizing its nuclear weapons.
Speaking before the committee, other military officials echoed a similar view.
One said the possibility remains for North Korea to demonstrate its capability through a more powerful nuclear test.
The Ministry of Defense noted that two underground tunnels at North Korea's main nuclear test site in Punggye-ri are "primed and ready" to conduct any tests.
Shin In-kyun, president of the Korea Defense Network, said the next nuclear test may take place around the G20 summit, which is slated for July 7 and 8 in Hamburg, Germany.
"The Kim Jong-un regime tends to launch a ballistic missile followed by a nuclear test as a package of nuclear provocations, and the G20 summit can be a perfect time to shock the world again," he said.
Shin also said the possible nuclear test will depend on whether North Korea has completed building a 100 kiloton hydrogen bomb, which will be far more powerful than the one detonated in the fifth test in September 2016.
"North Korea may want to show something that can go with the ICBM in its sixth nuclear test. It will want to ensure that it can successfully detonate a 100 kiloton hydrogen bomb and wait until such capability is proved," he said.
The speculation comes in line with latest finding from 38 North -- a U.S. website on North Korea issues. Citing commercial satellite imagery, the website said in May that the site was on stand-by status but a sixth nuclear test could be conducted at any time with minimal advance warning.
In June, the website said no unusual observable activity, such as an increased presence of vehicles or personnel, was found but that an additional nuclear test could be possible "at any time the North Korean leadership makes the decision to conduct it."
