North Korea To Halt Nuclear Tests

L - R: US, Donald Trump - S-Korea, Moon Jae-In - N-Korea, Kim Jong-un

North Korea says its quest for nuclear weapons is "complete" and it "no longer needs" to test its weapons capability, a significant development ahead of diplomatic engagement with both South Korea and the United States.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Saturday that "under the proven condition of complete nuclear weapons, we no longer need any nuclear tests, mid-range and intercontinental ballistic rocket tests, and that the nuclear test site in northern area has also completed its mission," as quoted by the state-run KCNA news agency.

The announcement appears to signify a remarkable change in policy for Kim, following a relentless pursuit of nuclear and ballistic weapons as a means to ensure his regime's survival - although some analysts remain skeptical, pointing out that Kim hasn't tested a missile since last November.

The news comes just six days before a meeting between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, a precursor to a much-anticipated planned encounter between Kim and US President Donald Trump, expected to take place at the end of May or beginning of June.

It also comes just weeks after the North Korean leader met Chinese President Xi Jinping on his first official trip outside his country.

The US and South Korea welcomed the news, which they said was a sign of progress and a promising start to upcoming talks.

"North Korea has agreed to suspend all Nuclear Tests and close up a major test site," Trump tweeted. "This is very good news for North Korea and the World - big progress! Look forward to our Summit."

The US President followed up the tweet with another around four hours later, similarly praising the "progess" being made.

Seoul similarly praised the development, with South Korean Presidential Senior Secretary for Public Relations Yoon Young-chan telling journalists it represented "meaningful progress for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," and said that it would contribute to a "positive environment" for the upcoming talks.

The declaration comes as North Korea continues to make concessions ahead of the talks.

Last month Kim told a South Korean delegation that he "understood" the need for joint US-South Korean military drills.

Earlier this week he dropped his requirement that US troops leave the Korean peninsula as a precondition for denuclearization.


(CNN)



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