The isolated country is also under pressure because of United Nations sanctions imposed after Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test a year ago.

VOA: standard.2010.05.03

If North Korea does carry out a nuclear test, then it could find itself isolated even by those countries that are trying to help it.

ECONOMIST: Dangerous and nuclear

Analysts caution that it is possible North Korea is simply using the existence of the missile to feed concerns about the isolated state's provocative behavior and won't proceed with a test firing.

WSJ: Seoul Raises Alert Ahead of Expected Test