U.S. assesses North Korea could be ready to conduct a nuclear test this month

FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un applauds during a photo session with students and young workers in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 1, 2022. KCNA via REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States assesses that North Korea is preparing its Punggye-ri nuclear test site and could be ready to conduct a test there as early as this month, State Department deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter said on Friday.

"This assessment is consistent with DPRK's own recent public statements. We've shared this information with allies and partners and will continue closely coordinating with them as well," Porter said in a briefing.