Guterres: Closing N. Korea test site ‘important step’
VIENNA (Reuters) – Irreversibly closing North Korea’s nuclear test site is an important step that could pave the way for progress at talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday.
North Korea gave details on Saturday on the planned dismantling of the Punggye-ri site where it is believed to have carried out all six of its nuclear tests.
The official Korean Central New Agency said it would take place between May 23 and 25 and involve collapsing all the site’s tunnels with explosions, blocking its entrances, and removing all observation facilities, research buildings and security posts.
“I would like to welcome that and to say that the irreversible closure of the site will be an important confidence-building measure that will contribute to further efforts towards sustainable peace and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” Guterres said.
“And I look forward to this positive momentum being consolidated at the summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea,” he said.
Trump and Kim are due to hold talks in Singapore on June 12, the first-ever meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.
After North Korea’s announcement on Saturday, Trump said on Twitter: “Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture!”
Earlier in the month Guterres said he was optimistic about the prospects for progress on the issue of North Korea’s nuclear program.
“I am optimistic ... I think now things are on track for a meaningful negotiation,” he said during an interview on BBC Radio 4.
“It’s in the interest of the North Koreans that have been dramatically impacted by the sanctions, it’s in the interest of South Korea that needs peace and security, it’s in the interest of China that was always against a nuclear North Korea but also wants a good security framework in the region, it’s in the interest of the United States because for the United States the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula has always been a main objective.”