North Korea may stage two more nuclear tests this year, source says

North Korea has told its key ally China that it is prepared to stage one or two more nuclear tests this year in an effort to force the United States into diplomatic talks, a source said.


"It's all ready. A fourth and fifth nuclear test and a rocket launch could be conducted soon, possibly this year," the source said, adding that the fourth nuclear test would be much larger than the third at an equivalent of 10 kilotons of TNT.

North Korea also reiterated its longstanding desire for the US to sign a final peace agreement with it and establish diplomatic relations, the source said. The North remains technically at war with both the US and South Korea after the Korean war ended in 1953 with a truce.
Initial estimates of this week's test from South Korea's military put its yield at the equivalent of 6-7 kilotons, although a final assessment of yield and what material was used in the explosion may be weeks away.

If this seems just a bit strange it is unless one is looking at it from the perspective of the North Korean government which believes its continued existence can only be achieved through diplomatic recognition by the United States.   The North also believes that recognition will booster its economy and isolate South Korea.  How and why they believe this to be a certain outcome is only known to the North Korean leadership.

The North has said the test this week was a reaction to what it called "US hostility" following its rocket launch in December. Critics say the rocket launch was aimed at developing technology for an intercontinental ballistic missile.
"[North] Korea is not afraid of [further] sanctions," the source said. "It is confident agricultural and economic reforms will boost grain harvests this year, reducing its food reliance on China."