In the latest step toward a possible third North Korean nuclear test, on the 27th Pyongyang’s state media reported on a recent meeting of Kim Jong Eun with key officials during which Kim declared his “firm determination to take real and high-level action” in response to the UN resolution adopted following the North’s December 12th long-range missile test. He allegedly gave detailed instructions to individual officials as to how to move forward.

The meeting was attended by key Party, government and military figures including Chosun People’s Army General Political Department head Choi Ryong Hae, Chief-of-Staff Hyun Young Chul, National Security Agency chief Kim Won Hong, Park Do Chun, the Party secretary in charge of the munitions industry, Kim Yong Il, the Party’s international secretary, and First Director of Foreign Affairs Kim Kye Gwan.

Many observers believe that the authorities’ aim is to mobilize the leaders of Party, administration and security agencies to express their solidarity with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Eun in opposition to the UN action, and thus to create the domestic atmosphere within which a third nuclear test can be seen as a justified and appropriate response to outside aggression.

Looking at the international environment, February represents a very good time for such a move. It is sure to be a busy time for South Korea, which must focus on welcoming the new administration of Park Geun Hye into office on the 25th, and equally the U.S. will be embroiled in multiple domestic and foreign policy issues at the dawn of the second Obama administration, making it a perfect time for North Korea to take the opportunity to make its voice heard.

Dr. Shin Sung Taek of International Forum for Foreign Policy and National Security agreed with the analysis, telling Daily NK, “If Kim Jong Eun is to conduct a third nuclear test, it will happen either just before or just after President-elect Park’s inauguration on the 25th of next month.”

He went on, “The pretext is to protest the UN sanctions, and the other aim is to tame the new U.S. and South Korean administrations. A nuclear test is the only option if they want to show off their leadership.”