North Korea will suspend nuclear and missile tests effective immediately and abolish a nuclear test site in a bid to pursue economic growth and peace on the Korean Peninsula, state media said, ahead of planned summits with South Korea and the United States. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country no longer needed to conduct nuclear tests or intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests because it has completed its goal of developing nuclear weapons, the country's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. "To guarantee suspension of nuclear tests in a transparent manner, the republic's northern nuclear test site will be abolished," the KCNA said, after Mr Kim convened this year's first plenary session of the Central Committee of the ruling Worker's Party. "The overall projects of the party and the country will be geared towards building of a socialist economy, and all our efforts will be made towards it." North Korea also said it will engage in talks with the international community, paving the way for the summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, planned for next week, and a meeting with US President Donald Trump in late May or early June.
Mr Trump welcomed the statement and said he looked forward to a summit with Mr Kim. "North Korea has agreed to suspend all nuclear tests and close up a major test site," he said on Twitter.
"This is very good news for North Korea and the world — big progress!
"Look forward to our summit." North Korea has defended its nuclear and missile programmes in the face of worldwide condemnation and sanctions as a necessary deterrent against perceived US hostility. Photo: A North Korean missile is launched during a test in May last year. (Supplied) Tensions eased significantly after, in a New Year's speech, Mr Kim called for lower military tensions and improved ties with South Korea. It sent a delegation to the Winter Olympics held in South Korea and agreed to meet with Mr Moon and Mr Trump to discuss denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. The ruling party's plenary meeting on Friday was convened to discuss "policy issues of a new stage" to meet the demands of the current "important historic period," the KCNA said. Reuters Dave R.
Photo: Kim Jong-un said North Korea has completed weaponising nuclear arms, KCNA said. (Reuters: KCNA)
Photo: A North Korean missile is launched during a test in May last year. (Supplied)
