POSSIBILITY OF N. KOREA'S NUCLEAR TEST

[Anchor Lead]

Sources say North Korea could conduct a nuclear test on April 15, which is Kim Il-sung's birthday. U.S. Special Representative for DPRK Sung Kim has been urging Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table unconditionally, but the North has yet to respond.

[Pkg]

U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim believes the regime is planning another provocation for April 15, Kim Il-sung's 110th birthday. While declining to make too many presumptions, he mentioned the possibility of a nuclear test.

[Soundbite] Sung Kim(U.S. Special Representative for N. Korea)

Pyongyang had conducted multiple nuclear tests from 2006, but halted them in 2017. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also pointed out a strong response is necessary as North Korea will likely continue provocations.

[Soundbite] Wendy Sherman(U.S. Deputy Secretary of State)

Sherman is repeatedly urging Pyongyang to seek a diplomatic solution. Sung Kim stresses that Washington is seriously committed to solving the North Korea issue through diplomacy, which is the only future path for the hermit state.

[Soundbite] Sung Kim(U.S. Special Representative for N. Korea)

Sung Kim made it clear he would urge the UNSC to take strong action, emphasizing the importance of stability on the Korean Peninsula.