State Department: Rocket or nuke test would only isolate North Korea
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The United States says a rocket or nuclear test by North Korea would only isolate its communist government further.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Monday she was not in a position to confirm whether the North was preparing for its third nuclear test, in addition to a long-range rocket launch expected some time between April 12 and 16.
She urged China to use its influence with North Korea to dissuade it from going ahead with the launch.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nuland said a launch would be "highly provocative" and a nuclear test "would be equally bad if not worse."
South Korean intelligence officials say recent satellite images show North Korea is digging a new underground tunnel in what appears to be preparation for a nuclear test.