N. Korea is nuclear test-ready: US think-tank

SEOUL (AFP) - North Korea has repaired extensive rain damage at its nuclear test facility and could conduct a detonation on two-week notice, a US think-tank said on Friday, citing satellite imagery analysis.

With the United Nations Security Council debating possible sanctions against the North following the launch earlier this month of a long-range rocket, there has been widespread speculation that Pyongyang may carry out its third nuclear test.

Satellite photos as recent as Dec 13 show that Pyongyang is determined to maintain a state of readiness at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said.

Following heavy flooding earlier in the year that destroyed key infrastructure elements, the North has moved quickly to restore its ability to operate the complex, it said on its closely followed website 38 North.