Iran has denied a British newspaper report that North Korea was giving it technical help to prepare an underground nuclear test similar to the one carried out by Pyongyang in October.

A top North Korean official today met visiting Iranian diplomats for talks.

The commander of the U.S. forces in South Korea says it is probably a question of when, not if, North Korea will test a second nuclear device. He also says the 28,000 U.S. military personnel who stand ready to defend South Korea from the North deserve better consideration from policymakers in Seoul. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from the South Korean capital.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday a new North Korean nuclear test would only deepen that country's isolation. Rice, who met with her South Korean counterpart in Washington, said the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program could resume in short order if Pyongyang is prepared to be forthcoming. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

North Korea is expected to have another nuclear test. World already said his word imposing the sanction 1718 but apparently such politics do not bring results and stability to Korean peninsula.