N. Korea Reportedly Ready for Nuclear Test

North Korea says it is prepared to conduct a nuclear test unless the United States responds positively to its proposals for resolving concerns over Pyongyang’s weapons ambitions, Japanese and North Korean sources were quoted as saying today.

The Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun said this had been conveyed to U.S. special envoy Jack Pritchard by a North Korean official in a secret meeting this month.

Earlier this week, sources in Tokyo said the North was ready to declare itself a member of the “nuclear club,” opening the way for possible tests and increased production of weapons, unless the crisis is resolved by Sept. 9, the 55th anniversary of the Communist nation’s founding.

North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in January.

Asahi Shimbun said a North Korean official told Pritchard: “If the United States continues its policy of pressure against us, we may be forced to take opposing measures. Such as, for example, a nuclear test.” It added that a test could take place by Sept. 9.

Pyongyang has said it has finished reprocessing spent nuclear fuel that could allow it to make about half a dozen atomic bombs, but doubts persist about the accuracy of its claims.