US President Donald Trump has hailed as a “gracious gesture” North Korea’s announcement that it will dismantle its nuclear test site in less than two weeks.
The move comes ahead of leader Kim Jong Un’s summit with Trump next month.
North Korea’s foreign ministry said all of the tunnels at the country’s north-eastern testing ground will be destroyed by explosion, and observation, guard units and research facilities will also be removed.
Kim had already revealed plans to shut the test site by the end of May during his summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in last month. Analysts say the closure does not represent a material step toward full denuclearisation.
“A ceremony for dismantling the nuclear test ground is now scheduled between May 23 and 25,” the statement said, adding that journalists from the US, South Korea, China, Russia and Britain will be invited.
The ministry said the North will “promote close contacts and dialogue with the neighbouring countries and the international society so as to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and over the globe.”
Trump, in a tweet on Saturday, said the plan to dismantle the nuclear test site was “a very smart and gracious gesture!”
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