Typhoons damage N Korean nuke test sites

Tunnels under North Korea's nuclear test sites in Punggyeri in Gilju County, North Hamgyeong Province have reportedly collapsed due to powerful typhoons that recently slammed the nation. Diplomatic sources and government officials said Wednesday that Pyongyang has mobilized heavy equipment to restore the tunnels, adding the repairs are expected to take at least one or two months, according to Korea's (KBS WORLD) website. The nuclear test sites in Punggyeri are where North Korea conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and in 2009. The sources said that the North had recently finished building a third tunnel in Punggyeri. According to 38 North, a U.S. Web site devoted to analysis of North Korea, Pyongyang has halted work at a new missile launch pad at Musudanri. The Web site made the analysis based on satellites photos taken on August 29th.(