The U.S.-based North Korea-monitoring Web site, 38 North, says that the North’s Punggye-ri nuclear test site appears to be on standby for a nuclear test.
 
Based on the analysis of a commercial satellite image, the Web site said Thursday that the North Korean nuclear test site is now “primed and ready”.
 
38 North explained that according to the image taken on Wednesday, what appear to be small vehicles or trailers are visible immediately outside the entrance of the north portal and on the road south of the portal. 
 
It added that approximately eleven tarp-covered pallets of equipment or supplies are seen in the courtyards of the main administrative area and a few personnel around the command center and the check point.
 
The analysis is lending support to speculations that a sixth nuclear test by North Korea is on the horizon.
 
Some observers say that the nuclear test could take place on Saturday, the 105th birthday of late North Korean founder Kim Il-sung.
 
On Wednesday, the Voice of America quoted a U.S. government official as predicting a North Korean nuclear test on Saturday morning, given the deployment of equipment at the test site.
 
38 North is a Web site specializing in North Korean affairs, run by the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

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