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Seoul (ANTARA News / Reuters) - North Korea has conducted the preparations for the third nuclear test, which is expected next May or June, said South Korean broadcaster YTN television reported Tuesday, quoting a diplomatic source who was not named.

North Korea has boycotted the negotiations of international nuclear disarmament during the year, and ask a few requirements to return to the negotiating table, including the halt imposed the sanctions the United Nations (UN) after it was last tested nuclear weapons in May 2009, which hit the economy hard.

Preparations have been started since February, involving the level of technical expertise necessary to repair two times the first trial, which is considered partly successful, YTN said, quoting sources close to the matter.

The official South Korean foreign ministry was not immediately be reached for comment regarding this report.

North Korea pulled out kesertaannya in six-nation talks seeking to halt its nuclear program since April last year.

Six countries involved in the talks including South Korea, North Korea, the United States, Russia, Japan and China as host.