North Korea has released an ambiguous statement, leaving many puzzling about its real intentions.

The North’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday suggested that there would be no immediate nuclear weapons test, dismissing speculation that the communist country would test an atomic bomb soon to compensate for its botched long-range rocket launch last month.

The ministry’s spokesman asserted that the North did not have a plan for a nuclear test from the beginning as its aim was to launch a scientific and technical satellite for peaceful purposes.

The official further claimed that Pyongyang informed Washington several weeks ago that it was refraining from taking provocative action although it was no longer bound by their Feb. 29 agreement.

Under the Leap Day agreement, the North promised to put a moratorium on long-range missile launches, nuclear testing and uranium enrichment activity in return for 240,000 tons of nutritional aid from Washington.

The spokesman’s remark came following a statement issued by G8 leaders last week, which condemned the North’s rocket launch and warned that they would press for U.N. action in case of any further provocations.

The Pyongyang official slammed the G8 leaders, vowing the North would retain its sovereign right to launch satellites and bolster its nuclear deterrent as long as Washington maintains its hostile policy.

Yet the tone of his remark was milder than usual. It appeared to be intended to signal the North’s willingness to resume talks with the U.S. to receive the promised nutritional aid.

Yet Washington should remain prudent toward the latest overture from the insidious regime. A State Department spokeswoman was right when she said that Washington would be guided not by “what they say, but what they do.”

As always, there is a discrepancy between the North’s words and deeds. Its overture does not match with what it is doing. According to news reports, brisk activities have been detected at its nuclear test site.

Seoul officials said on Wednesday that in their view, the North “is technically ready” for a third nuclear test. They noted that their technical judgment differed from the North’s assertion that it had not planned another nuclear test.

Furthermore, satellite images suggest the North’s old rocket launch site in Musudan-ri, North Hamgyeong Province, has been renovated for larger, longer-range missiles.

If past experience is any guide, the question regarding North’s nuclear test is not if, but when. It may be waiting for an opportune time. Seoul and its allies should not let their guard down.