video transcript

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION) North Korea's scientists, technicians and officials involved in the country's recent successful nuclear test arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday (February 20) to be greeted by waving and cheering residents, state media reported. The video, provided to Reuters by state broadcaster KCNA, which could not be independently verified, showed residents dancing and playing instruments, waving bunches of flowers to welcome the team's return from the nuclear test site. The unpredictable country conducted its successful third nuclear test last week, in defiance of UN resolutions. Pyongyang said the aim of the test was to bolster its defences given the hostility of the United States, which has led a push to impose sanctions on North Korea. North Korea has already told key ally China that it is prepared to stage one or two more tests this year to force the United States into diplomatic talks, a source with direct knowledge of the message told Reuters last week.