North Korea threatens to carry out a new nuclear test

(Vatican Radio) North Korea's militarycommand has said it is on the verge of a new nuclear test, saying it would be part of a "new phase" of confrontation with the United States.

The threat came in response to a UN Security Council resolution this week which imposed new sanctions and demanded that Pyongyang abandon its nuclear weapons programme.

North Korean state television declared: "We won't disguise the fact that ... rocket launches and a high-level nuclear test we will carry out are aimed at the United States."

A newscaster citing the National Defence Commission saying North Korea is about to carry out a third nuclear test, although no word when, accusing Washington of pushing this week's UN Security Council resolution which condemned the recent rocket launch by North Korea and imposed new sanctions.

Pyongyang made clear its long-range rockets are not only space rockets they are designed to carry a nuclear warhead.

The US envoy on North Korea, Glyn Davies, said if North Korea shows "interest in returning to diplomacy ... negotiating partners may be willing "to join in".

Meanwhile, reports here in Japan says North Korea is trying to overcome its economic troubles by dispatching unemployed workers to China.

Between 20 and 40,000 are now reportedly working in Chinese factories, making products such as clothing for international brands. The North Korean state reportedly takes a cut of one third of their wages.

listen to the report by Alistair Wanklyn...