韩国：朝鲜可能在准备新一次核试验

South Korea's intelligence agency says the North may be preparing to conduct another missile test, just days before U.S. President Donald Trump’s Asia trip.

Officials with the National Intelligence Service told lawmakers Thursday it has detected a flurry of activity at North Korea's missile research facilities in the capital, Pyongyang.

North Korea has conducted a series of tests on it nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs in recent years in defiance of international sanctions. NIS officials testified the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site possibly sustained damage after the regime conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September 3, as the explosion triggered at least three aftershocks.

"The North will constantly push for further nuclear tests going forward, and the miniaturization and diversification of warheads," the agency said during the briefing.

North Korea's continued nuclear and ballistic missile test programs have led to a war of words between Pyongyang and Trump, who has openly threatened to launch military action against the North. The issue will be a major focus of the U.S. president's upcoming five-nation trip to the Asia Pacific region, which includes a stop Tuesday in Seoul. Trump will also visit Japan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

美国总统川普亚洲之行几天前，韩国情报机构表示，朝鲜可能正准备进行新一次导弹试验。

韩国国家情报院官员星期四对议会表示，发现位于朝鲜平壤的导弹研究设施突然有频繁活动。

朝鲜近年来不顾国际制裁，多次进行核试验和弹道导弹试验。韩国国家情报院官员在议会作证称，朝鲜的丰溪里核试验场可能在最近9月3号的那次核试验后受损。9月3号的核试验是朝鲜六次试验中最强的一次，爆炸至少引发了三次余震。

韩国情报院在简报中说：“朝鲜将持续推动其核项目，并将弹头缩小化、多样化。”

朝鲜持续进行核试验和弹道导弹试验导致平壤和美国总统川普之间的言语冲突。川普公开威胁将对朝鲜采取军事行动。朝核问题将是川普接下来亚太五国之行重点关注的问题。川普星期二将到访首尔，他此行还将访问日本、中国、越南和菲律宾。