Huge news from North Korea in advance of the North-South summit next week, and planned denuclearization
talks with the U.S. President.
The government of North Korea says it will end nuclear testing, close nuclear test sites, and stop its program of ICBM missile launches.
“From April 21, North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles,” the Korean Central News Agency said in a report Saturday morning.
“We will never use nuclear weapons unless there is nuclear threat or nuclear provocation to our country, and in any case we will not transfer nuclear weapons and nuclear technology,” North Korean president Kim Jong-Un said.
He says the nuclear testing will end because the country has acheived its goal of developing nuclear weapons.
“The North will shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s northern side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear test,” the report stated.
WaPo:
This comes less than a week before Kim is due to meet with South Korean president Moon Jae-in in the first inter-Korean summit in 11 years. Moon has said that Kim is willing to discuss denuclearization and that he will not insist on American troops being withdrawn from South Korea as part of any deal.
More from reporters below.
BREAKING: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un orders the suspension of nuclear and missile tests starting now, orders the closure of the site where its six nuclear tests have been conducted https://t.co/LDNsZiAScW pic.twitter.com/IFrqjr4Wta
— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) April 20, 2018
Kim Jong Un has committed himself to the path of denuclearization and will now focus solely on economic growth and improving the national economy, source tells @willripleyCNN, realizing the best path forward is to open up the country and normalize relations.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 20, 2018
After 6 nuclear tests, North Korea may not need to conduct further nuclear testing and may be satisfied with its existing designs. That means using Punggye-ri for a grand gesture to show bona fide intent to the US isn't out of the question, but also will be less meaningful.
— Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) April 20, 2018
Here's KCNA with six points from Kim Jong-un. The Punggye-ri test site will close *because* North Korea feels it has conducted sufficient testing and is happy with its weapons. That's important context here. pic.twitter.com/uRlu30LG2O
— Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) April 20, 2018
CNN is claiming a “source” for this news, but North Korea publicly announced it in state media https://t.co/zhrS7TaKwB
— Jon Passantino (@passantino) April 20, 2018
NEWS: North Korea has achieved its goal of developing nuclear weapons and does not plan to conduct further nuclear or intercontinental ballistic missile tests, its state-run media reported, citing leader Kim Jong Un.
per @KongKanga
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) April 20, 2018
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea says it has suspended nuclear and long-range missile tests, plans to close nuclear test site .
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) April 20, 2018