US is concerned about Korean nuclear tests

Should North Korea decide to conduct a nuclear test soon, the country can count on a firm response from the United States and South Korea, says a spokesman for the US Department of Defense.

The defense acknowledges that no link has yet been established between the recent North Korean missile tests and a possible nuclear test, but says such a test would be a “matter of great, grave concern” and provoke a broad response from the US. These could be diplomatic, military and economic measures, but there is no further explanation.

U.S. and South Korean intelligence officials believe a test is possible between October 16, the date of the National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and the U.S. midterm elections on November 7.

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles last night. The projectiles landed in the Sea of Japan, between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, reports both the South Korean Ministry of Defense and the Japanese Coast Guard. It was North Korea’s fourth missile test in a week.