In an exclusive report, it has been confirmed that North Korea recently closed entry into the second tunnel of its Punggye-ri nuclear test site, a possible indication of an imminent nuclear test.
 
A government source confirmed to KBS that the South Korean intelligence authorities recently secured this information.
 
The source added that the government is keeping an eye on the North for additional nuclear tests.
 
Prior to conducting previous underground nuclear tests, North Korea was seen excavating and filling a tunnel in preparation. The North has conducted four of its six nuclear tests at the Punggye-ri site.
 
The National Intelligence Service(NIS) Director Lee Byung-ho told a parliamentary intelligence committee hearing on December 23rd that the third tunnel of the Punggye-ri site remained ready to launch an additional nuclear test at any time. He added that the second tunnel also showed continued activities, from both people and vehicles.
 
The U.S.-based North’s monitoring website, 38 North, also disclosed satellite imageries of the second tunnel at Punggye-ri last month and said signs of repair works at the second tunnel were detected.
 
The North was also confirmed to be conducting engine tests for an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Dongchang-ri missile site in Cholsan County in North Pyongan Province and nearby weapons factory in Kusong city.
 
The South Korean intelligence authorities are speculating that the North will likely conduct a nuclear test or an ICBM launch on or around April 15th, the birthday of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung. 

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