Tags: denuclearization | korea | missile | visit

North Korea to Dismantle Missile Test Site, Allow Inspectors

North Korea to Dismantle Missile Test Site, Allow Inspectors
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, at lunch with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Sept. 19, 2018, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Pyeongyang Press Corps/Pool/Getty Images)

Wednesday, 19 September 2018 06:48 AM EDT

North Korea agreed to dismantle a key missile test site under the watch of international inspectors and take other steps toward denuclearization, according to a joint statement signed by Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang.

North Korea is willing to move toward dismantling its main Yongbyon nuclear site if the U.S. takes reciprocal actions, the statement said, without providing further details. The two nations repeated an agreement to work toward denuclearization and create peace zones along the border, Moon said at a joint briefing with Kim.

“We agreed to make active efforts to turn the Korean peninsula into the land of peace without nuclear weapons or nuclear threats,” Kim said at the briefing. The North Korean leader would likely visit Seoul later this year, Moon said.

Moon added: “Chairman Kim has clearly shown a way to denuclearization on the Korean peninsula today. We have agreed on a Korean Peninsula without nuclear weapons, without nuclear threats and without a war.”

The complete denuclearization of the peninsula is “not far,” Moon said. “South and North Korea have agreed to collaborate closely with the U.S. and the international community for the final achievement of denuclearization.”

‘I Am Overwhelmed’

Other key points included:

  • Both countries will start connecting existing railways and roads this year, Moon said.
  • Both countries decided to open a permanent meeting place for families long separated by the border in the near future, Moon said. The two countries will first establish an avenue for video greetings and letters to be sent between separated families.
  • The two countries are planning a bid to co-host the 2032 Summer Olympics, and will compete as one team at the 2020 Games in neighboring Tokyo and other unspecified competitions.
  • The two countries also agreed to “normalize” the Gaeseong complex and Kumgang tourism project, and set up a special co-economic zone on the West Sea, if conditions allow.
  • The countries agreed to withdraw 11 guard posts each from the demilitarized zone, as well as joint excavation of war remains and a “buffer zone” to stop hostile acts.

Moon is the first South Korean leader to visit Pyongyang in 11 years. He said his “heart is very full today.”

“I feel overwhelmed that I can share these words today,” Moon said. “South and North Korea for the first time agreed on measures for denuclearization. It is a very meaningful achievement.”

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Newsfront
North Korea agreed to dismantle a key missile test site under the watch of international inspectors and take other steps toward denuclearization, according to a joint statement signed by Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang.
denuclearization, korea, missile, visit
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2018-48-19
Wednesday, 19 September 2018 06:48 AM
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