U.S. intelligence authorities have warned that North Korea could stage a military provocation in October.
 
Ruling Saenuri Party spokesman Kim Young-woo quoted a key U.S. intelligence official as relaying to Saenuri Chairman Kim Moo-sung in Washington on Monday that it is possible that the North will launch provocations on or around October 10, the anniversary of the foundation of the regime’s ruling Workers’ Party.
 
The spokesman said the U.S. official also mentioned Pyongyang’s test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in May, adding that Washington is taking note of the fact that the missile was fired from underwater.
 
Kim Young-woo said U.S. intelligence authorities believe that China, North Korea’s staunchest ally, may be disappointed by the North’s inflexibility toward nuclear disarmament.
 
He added that Washington speculates that Pyongyang-Beijing relations may be bumpier than previously, but China still holds a negative opinion about imposing international sanctions on the North that could imperil the regime.