No. Korea threatens another nuclear test

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PYONGYANG, North Korea, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- North Korea sent a strong signal Saturday it is planning to carry out another nuclear test in the near future.

Rodong Shinmun, the country's major newspaper and, like all other news media in North Korea, controlled by the government, ran an opinion piece saying the population is calling for another test, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported. The newspaper is officially published by the ruling Workers Party.

"A nuclear test is the demand of the people and no other choice can be made," the newspaper said. "It is the people's demand that there should be something even greater than a nuclear test."

The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution Tuesday that calls for tightening existing sanctions against North Korea and banned financial transfers that would be used to support more advanced technology in the country. The unanimous vote was a response to North Korea's successful rocket launch in December.

"The U.N. Security Council gave us no other choice," Rodong Shinmun said. "We have no choice but to go to the very end."

The U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University has reported that the Punggye-ri launch site in North Korea appears to be ready for another test.