AMN / WEB DESK
US President Donald Trump was one of the first to react over North Korea’s announcement to halt nuclear and missile tests
In a tweet Trump said: “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.”
Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country has suspended nuclear and missile tests from today and will also shut down a nuclear test site. North Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA) today said that Kim made the announcement at a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party central committee in Pyongyang yesterday.
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
He also said the mission at the nuclear test site in Punggye-Ri in North Hamgyong Province has ended. North Korea said it will cooperate and hold dialogues with neighbouring countries and the international community to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the world.
The surprise announcement comes as Kim is due to meet his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in next week for the first inter-Korean summit in over a decade, and US President Donald Trump by June.
South Korea’s presidential office described North Korea’s announcement as “meaningful progress.” But Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera warned against easing pressure on the North Korean regime, saying: “We can’t be satisfied.”
In January, North Korea launched a major diplomatic offensive that saw it send athletes and officials to the Winter Olympic Games hosted by South Korea. Two months later, South Korean officials announced that the North Korean leader wanted an inter-Korean summit and a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump.
But analysts have cautioned that Pyongyang’s latest moves could be trying “to buy time for its arms buildup, find ways to reduce international pressure and sanctions enforcement, and take advantage of propaganda opportunities to bolster domestic legitimacy.”
China too welcomes
China welcomed the announcement and reaffirmed its support of Pyongyang. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said “China believes the decision to stop nuclear tests and focus on developing the economy and improving people’s living standards will help further ease the situation on the Korean peninsula.”