SEOUL, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A South Korean think tank said Wednesday North Korea, under new leader Kim Jong Un, would likely conduct another nuclear or missile test this year.
The young Kim, believed to be in his late 20s, may take such actions to consolidate his power as questions remain about his leadership abilities. Kim succeeded his father Kim Jong Il, who died Dec. 17 after being at the helm for 17 years.
"North Korea could raise tension by test-launching a missile and conducting a third nuclear test as Kim Jong Un needs to demonstrate his leadership and consolidate his grip on the regime," said a report by the Institute for Foreign Affairs and National Security.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency quoted experts as saying that while the North's new leadership is expected to remain stable, economic difficulties and other political uncertainties in the future could lead Kim to stage such tests to maintain internal unity.
The think tank, which is affiliated to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, said North Korea "could conduct a test explosion of a uranium bomb to maximize the external effect and show off new achievements by Kim Jong Un."
The North, under the late Kim Jong Il, conducted two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, and is believed to have enough plutonium for at least a half dozen nuclear bombs, Yonhap said.
The North also has a uranium enrichment plant, which it says is for peaceful energy development. But experts say the plant could be used to make atomic bombs, Yonhap reported.
The think tank said it expects the six-nation talks on the North's nuclear disarmament, stalled for three years, could resume later this year, but warned of difficulties in making any "visible progress." The talks involve the two Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan.
