North Korea announces halt to nuclear and missile tests from today, April 21

Leader Kim Jong Un and his wife applaud during an event honoring nuclear scientists and engineers who contributed to the successful hydrogen bomb test - Photo: REUTERS

Yonhap news agency quoted the announcement released today (April 21) from North Korea's KCNA news agency. The announcement also stated: "North Korea will close a nuclear test site in the north of the country to demonstrate its commitment to stopping nuclear tests."

The statement will be seen as a crucial step in the diplomatic process surrounding the Korean peninsula.

North Korea's announcement comes less than a week before an inter-Korean summit at the demilitarized zone between the two countries, and just ahead of a planned meeting between leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump that could take place in May or June.

KCNA news agency quoted Mr. Kim Jong Un speaking at a meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. Mr. Kim said that at this time, North Korea "does not need to conduct any further nuclear tests or long-range missiles or ICBMs", and "the northern nuclear test site has completed its mission".

Pyongyang has made rapid technical advances in its weapons development programs under Kim Jong Un, despite facing harsh sanctions from the UN Security Council, the US, the EU, South Korea and others.

Last year North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test, its most powerful to date, and has also launched ICBMs capable of reaching the US mainland.

Immediately after North Korea's announcement, the US President responded on Twitter: "North Korea has agreed to stop all nuclear testing and close a major nuclear test site. This is great news for North Korea and the world - a big step forward."