I think we need to assess this from the north's denial and deception history.
Will they or won't they? Are they trying to give the appearance of "walking back" from a nuclear test and when every let's out a sigh of relief that there is not going to be a test they will go ahead and conduct one? Or maybe they are not technically ready to conduct one? Or maybe they think they have gained sufficient attention and will delay to a more opportune time (though I think the closer they conduct one to the Dec 12 ballistic missile test launch the less international pressure will be brought on them – but day that goes by increases the likelihood that there will be a stronger reaction - though it is doubtful there will be anything really stronger than the delayed reaction to the Dec 12 test).
V/R
Dave
2013/02/10 14:08 KST
N. Korea says world mistakenly interprets its "important measures" as nuclear test
SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's planned important measures may not refer to a third nuclear test, a state propaganda outlet has suggested, adding to the confusion over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.
"The U.S. and hostile forces jumped to conclusions that the republic is planning the third nuclear test, citing their hypothesis and argument," the propaganda weekly Tongil Sinbo said Friday in an article posted on a Web site operated by the North.
The weekly said the U.S. and other countries know little about what important state measures North Korea will take and whether the measures involve a nuclear test or anything worse.
The report came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to take "substantial and high-profile important state measures," amid tensions with the international community over its Dec. 12 long-range rocket launch.
Last month, the U.N. Security Council toughened sanctions on the North for carrying out a long-range rocket launch in December in violation of U.N. resolutions.
(Continued at the link below)
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