North Korea to suspend nuclear missile tests and will close nuke test site
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South and North Korea are discussing plans to announce an official end to the military conflict between the two countries that are still technically at war, the Munhwa Ilbo newspaper reported, citing an unidentified South Korean official.
Time
North Korea announced it will suspend nuclear and long-range missile tests and unveiled plans to close a nuclear test site.Â
The Korean Central News Agency, which is North Korea’s state media agency, made the announcement as the reclusive nation’s leaders are in ongoing peace talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is also in negotiations to meet with President Trump.Â
“From April 21, North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles,†the Korean Central News Agency said in a report.Â
The report added, “the North will shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s northern side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear test.”Â
The decision to end the tests was made at a meeting of the Worker’s Party of Korea on Friday, the Korean Central News Agency said.
“As the weaponisation of nuclear weapons has been verified, it is not necessary for us to conduct any more nuclear tests,” Kim said at the meeting, adding “the northern nuclear test site has completed its mission.”
After the announcement, President Trump posted on Twitter that the move was “very good news.”
“North Korea has agreed to suspend all Nuclear Tests and close up a major test site,” he said. “This is very good news for North Korea and the World – big progress! Look forward to our Summit.”
North Korea has agreed to suspend all Nuclear Tests and close up a major test site. This is very good news for North Korea and the World – big progress! Look forward to our Summit.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2018
Earlier this week, President Trump expressed a little more caution about the planned meeting with Kim Jong Un, explaining he would “leave the meeting” if it’s not “fruitful.”
“It’s a historic moment,” Trump said at a news conference Wednesday wrapping up two days of talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The talks included discussions of trade disputes between their two nations. “Hopefully, that meeting will be a great success.”
While exuding confidence about North Korea Wednesday, Trump also raised the possibility that the yet to be scheduled summit might be called off because of a lack of agreement over an agenda — or that it might not be successful.
The announcement of a freeze on tests and the shutdown of a facility is sure to be a step in the right direction but Trump has said he will seek an agreement in which North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons, a goal that many analysts believe will be challenging.Â
Contributing: David Jackson, USA TODAY.Â
Follow Christal Hayes on Twitter: Journo_ChristalÂ
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