in South Korea are now pointing to a lack of activity at North Korea's nuclear testing

site as a sign that the test could happen soon.

The North Korean leadership, meanwhile, says it will keep making and launching long-range

rockets.

Choi You-sun has this report. Government and military sources in South Korea say activity

at North Korea's nuclear testing ground in the country's far north seems to have been

suspended since last Friday.

While it's difficult to tell whether or not the withdrawal of manpower and equipment is

temporary, sources say the break in activity could actually mean that the test day is near.

Keeping in mind that the Lunar New Year holiday extends to Tuesday in the North, officials

in Seoul are watching the situation closely, as the lack of activity could be part of Pyongyang's

strategy to deceive observers.

In fact, a high-ranking official in Seoul has said that if the North is planning for

a test, and the South and the U.S. believe it's still likely, there's a good chance it'll

happen this week.

On Monday, the Central Committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party reaffirmed its intention

to continue developing and launching satellites mounted on long-range rockets, which the international

community considers a cover for a ballistic missile test.

In a move likely aimed at consolidating the forces within the regime ahead of former leader

Kim Jong-il's birthday on February 16th, the politburo vowed to ready itself for high intensity

action to protect North Korea's security and sovereignty.

A Washington Post editorial said the biggest security threat President Barack Obama faces

in his second-term lies within North Korea, where young leader Kim Jong-un has shown the

determination to develop nuclear arms capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

Choi You-sun, Arirang News.