North Korea will also “shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s northern side to guarantee transparency in suspending nuclear tests,” the report added. Having established a nuclear deterrent, North Korea can now turn to overhauling its economy, Kim said.
Pyongyang’s move comes ahead of Kim’s April 27 summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the demilitarized zone that separates the two countries. The last in-person talks between the leaders of North and South Korea took place 11 years ago.
What will be the first-ever encounter between the leaders of North Korea and the US is expected to happen in late May or early June. US President Donald Trump, who accepted Kim’s proposal for a meeting after months that saw the two men trade insults and threats, hailed the announcement from Pyongyang.
“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,” Trump wrote on Twitter.
