North Korea threatens "stronger" measures

(Vatican Radio) North Korea's state news agency said the nation has decided it needs to take a "stronger measure than a nuclear test" to deal with "hostile forces" bent on nuclear war. It gave no details, but in 2010 North Korea shelled a South Korean island and was blamed for sinking a South Korean warship. This week, the United States and South Korea began a naval exercise which the North has called as a pretext for war. Meanwhile, South Korea's president-elect has urged nations worldwide not to reward international defiance, but to make the North take responsibility for its actions. South Korea's ambassador to the United Nations has said the nuclear test appears to be imminent. Reports say a truck has been seen entering and leaving a mineshaft in a mountain where previous tests occurred. Analysts say it's unclear why the impoverished nation seems ready to risk the help it currently receives from its major ally China for a mere show of strength.
But in the past, it has used such standoffs to try to raise international recognition, ultimately hoping for guarantees from nations worldwide to recognise and support the Pyongyang leadership.

Listen to the report by correspondent Alastair Wanklyn: