US closely watching North Korean move on nuclear test

The US has said it is watching North Korea very closely following reports that Pyongyang may be preparing a fourth nuclear test.
"We closely monitor actions such as that. North Korea has a history of taking provocative actions, and we are always mindful of the possibility that such an action could be taken," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters travelling with US President Barack Obama on his way to Asia.
"Depending on what it is and what they do, if they do anything, it would most likely be in violation of numerous commitments that the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is bound by. But of course, that is something that they have, unfortunately, done many times," Carney said in response to a question.

South Korea said it had seen signs that the North might be planning a new nuclear test.
Carney said the US has seen the public reports and the press reports in this regard.
"I would note that there is a kind of cyclical nature to the provocative actions that North Korea tends to take, and we'll be watching it very closely," he said.

The Pentagon too said it is keeping a close watch on the developments in the region.
"We have seen the reports about this alleged pending nuclear test. I have nothing to announce or confirm here today. That aside, we continue to call on North Korea to meet international obligations, and to stop provocative actions, whatever they are, that only further destabilise the situation on the peninsula," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said.

"It is way past time for North Korea to meet its international obligations and stop the kind of behaviour that does nothing but foster and foment instability on the peninsula," he said in response to a question.