N. Korea Dismisses Nuke Test Reports

[shawn703]

North Korea dismissed reports it is preparing for a nuclear test as a U.S. “fabrication,” raising hopes that the reclusive communist nation may be ready to return to the nuclear bargaining table.

With the statement late Thursday on Korean Central Television Station, the North’s only nationwide network, Pyongyang appeared to be inching back from the stalemate over its nuclear program that has taken on increasingly ominous tones.

The North, which pulled out of six-nation negotiations after the third round in June, still kept up its anti-American rhetoric. But pragmatism could be prevailing with the North now struggling to ward off a famine.

U.S. officials said earlier this month that North Korea appeared to be digging tunnels and building a reviewing stand in the northeast and said these could be preparations for a nuclear test. North Korea criticized the report, based on satellite imagery, but had not denied such preparations were under way until Thursday.



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