And with North Korea's ruling Workers' Party congress kicking off,... the possibility of Pyongyang conducting a fifth nuclear test appears to have receded.<br />Experts say the test will have to wait until after the event at the earliest.<br />Kwon Soa reports. <br /><br />North Korea has refrained from conducting another nuclear test so far,... after its fourth one in January.<br />That pushes the chance of a fifth test to after the ruling Workers' Party congress,... that kicked off Friday. <br />South Korea and U.S. predictions, activities at the North's nuclear test site,... as well as a string of failed ballistic missile launches had been hinting that another nuclear test may happen PRIOR to the congress. <br />This,... in order to boast its nuclear capability to its people,... before the big event. <br />However, some experts say,... the timing wasn't appropriate in the regime's eyes,... as it's feeling the increased international pressure.<br />That includes its long-time ally China, and Russia,... which have shown more active cooperation in punishing the North for its recent provocations.<br /><br /><br />"North Korea seems to have assessed that the aftermath would be too big before the congress,... as sanctions would accelerate.<br />I think the North wants to boost its nuclear capability as much as possible, before the next administration in the U.S."<br /><br />Although some say a fifth test is a while away,... the South Korean government is not taking any chances with the military maintaining a state of readiness.<br />That's partly because Seoul and the rest of the world have seen that Kim Jong-un's moves are more unpredictable than those of his predecessors'.<br />Kwon Soa, Arirang News. <br /><br />
