Nuclear test would be game changer in region, US says

HONOLULULULU: A nuclear test by North Korea would be a game changer in the region and provoke a US response spanning several instruments of national power officials with the US Indo-Pacific Command in Honolulu on Friday. North Korea, which has had four ballistic missile launches this week, appears to be preparing for a nuclear test that would likely take place one to two weeks after the Chinese Communist Party congress starts on October 16, according to an official who requested anonymity.

The official's analysis is echoed by the South Korean intelligence services, who believe a test is likely between October 16 and the US midterm elections on November 7.

While acknowledging that a link had not been established between the recent launches and a possible nuclear test, the head of the American fleet in the region, Admiral Sam Paparo, said any such test would be a matter of grave concern and would prompt a broad US response.

That response would be first in close consultation with our treaty ally, South Korea, and would likely be in accordance with our doctrine of integrated deterrence - it would span multiple instruments of national power, alluding to diplomatic, military and economic measures.