In a potentially huge step towards de-isolation, North Korea has announced that they will suspend their nuclear and long-range missile tests and shut down a nuclear testing site in the northern portion of the country. The announcement was made by the country’s dictator Kim Jong-un in an address to his nation via the state run Central News Agency.
South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency also reported the development Friday:
“From April 21, North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles,” the Korean Central News Agency said.
“The North will shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s northern side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear test,” it added.
The decision was made at a plenary meeting of the central committee of the ruling Worker’s Party of Korea (WPK) Friday, according to the KCNA.
Although it’s another good step forward for the region and Korean peninsula ahead of the meeting between Donald Trump and Kim, the North Korean leader remained somewhat ambiguous in his statement failing to mention whether or not he’d actually dismantle his weapons. Nonetheless Trump made mention of the progress and said he “look forward to our summit (sic)’ which is scheduled to take place sometime in May.
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
Again, this is a positive step forward and very well could be a sign that North Korea could be working towards regular relations with the rest of the world and a more open country. However North Korea has made it a habit in the past to walk back on prior acts of passiveness and diplomacy only to resume their regular hostilities to their neighbor to the south and the United States. Likewise Kim may be absolutely correct that his regime has gained the knowledge and expertise to resume their ICBM and Nuclear program at anytime.
However it’s no secret that North Korea has been crippled by years of heavy sanctions and Kim could finally be tapping as a result. Needless to say too that this month’s summit with South Korea, next month’s with the United States and the continued requests from other leaders to meet with Kim could be that country’s big opportunity to bring itself to the World stage.