WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (AP) - (Kyodo)— North Korea appears to have made preparations for another nuclear test, ABC News reported Thursday, quoting U.S. defense officials. Reuters, however, quoted an intelligence official as saying the United States has no evidence to suggest such a test.
"We think they've put everything in place to conduct a test without any notice or warning," the U.S. television network quoted a senior U.S. defense official as saying.
The official cautioned that the intelligence is inconclusive but said the preparations are similar to steps taken by North Korea prior to its first nuclear test on Oct. 9, according to ABC.
ABC also said the intelligence community is divided over the likelihood of another test. It quoted a senior intelligence official as saying, when asked if North Korea will soon carry out another test, "That would surprise me."
Another official predicted North Korea would conduct a test sometime over the next two or three months, according to ABC.
