FOCUS: N. Korea's nuke test eyes diplomatic leverage, domestic purpose+

BEIJING, May 25 Kyodo -
North Korea's second nuclear test held on Monday, which surprised many due to
its earlier-than-expected timing, is believed to be aimed at achieving both
diplomatic and domestic purposes, experts said Monday.

The test is believed to be primarily aimed at gaining bargaining leverage in
future talks with the United States and other countries. But it is also
important as a domestic morale booster and may also be linked to dynamics
within the ruling elite, they said.
North Korea said Monday it successfully carried out its second nuclear test,
following one in October 2006 that led to a U.N. Security Council censure and
sanctions against the country.
Monday's nuclear explosion came after North Korea was criticized
internationally for its April 5 rocket launch, which many countries saw as a
disguised test of the country's long-range missile technology.
Angered by the U.N. Security Council's condemnation against the rocket launch,
North Korea had warned earlier that it would carry out the nuclear test if the
U.N. panel does not apologize.
''They have warned of this test, but I don't think anyone was expecting it
today,'' said Daniel Pinkston, senior analyst on Northeast Asia at the
International Crisis Group based in Seoul.
''The fact that they went ahead with the test so quickly sends some signal of
urgency, that they are very decisive about their reasons to conduct this
test,'' he said.
While the intentions behind the test have yet to become clear, one likely
reason for the test are ''external security benefits'' to fend off what North
Korea views as ''hostile forces in the outside world,'' Pinkston said.
One other likely purpose for the nuclear explosion is to gain bargaining
leverage in diplomatic negotiations.
''The long-term strategy of Pyongyang is to exert pressure on the major powers
concerned to enhance security'' and gain economic concessions, and a second
test is in line with that goal, said Joseph Cheng, professor at the City
University of Hong Kong.
The nuclear explosion is also believed to be important domestically.
''A nuclear test is something that boosts morale by demonstrating North Korea's
achievement, international status and ability to pressure South Korea, the
United States and Japan,'' Cheng said.
The test may also act as a demonstration by the North Korean leadership that
the country is moving forward in its promise to promote science and technology
to overcome problems such as food and energy shortage, Pinkston said.
''It shows you are following up on your political promises you have made,'' he
said. ''So there are domestic political benefits to that as well.''
The experiment could also be connected to dynamics within North Korea's ruling
elite. A test would be seen as the country being ''decisive and strong'' after
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's reported recovery from a stroke last year,
Pinkston added.
Whatever the reason behind Monday's test, it is expected to make the resumption
of the six-party talks on denuclearizing North Korea difficult to resume, at
least in the short term.
''I think it is going to be very difficult to reconvene the talks,'' Pinkston
said. ''But nevertheless, I don't think there is any reason to give up...other
countries have an interest in North Korea denuclearizing so they should
continue that effort.''
The six-party negotiations bring together the two Koreas, the United States,
China, Japan and Russia. Negotiations have stalled since December, and North
Korea announced last month it was pulling out of the talks.
==Kyodo