SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The Latest on North Korea saying it has suspended nuclear and long-range missile tests and plans to close its nuclear test site (all times local):
9:20 a.m.
South Korea’s presidential office has welcomed North Korea’s announcement it’s suspending nuclear and long-range missile tests as “meaningful progress” toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Presidential official Yoon Young-chan said in a statement Saturday the announcement will brighten the prospects for successful talks between Seoul, Pyongyang and Washington.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in at a border truce village next Friday in a rare summit between the rivals aimed at resolving the nuclear standoff with Pyongyang. A separate meeting between Kim and President Donald Trump is anticipated in May or June.
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8:20 a.m.
President Donald Trump appears to be confirming news that North Korea has agreed to suspend nuclear and long-range missile testing.
Trump has tweeted, “This is very good news for North Korea and the World” and “big progress!”
He also says he’s looking forward to his upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea said early Saturday it has suspended nuclear and long-range missile tests and plans to close its nuclear test site.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency says the country is making the move to shift its national focus and improve its economy.
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7 a.m.
North Korea says it has suspended nuclear and long-range missile tests and plans to close its nuclear test site.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said the suspension of nuclear and ICBM tests went into effect Saturday.
The country says it’s making the move to shift its national focus and improve its economy.
The announcements came days before North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in a border truce village for a rare summit aimed at resolving the nuclear standoff with Pyongyang.
The North’s decisions were made in a meeting of the ruling party’s full Central Committee which had convened to discuss a “new stage” of policies.
