Seoul April 21 (IANS) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has announced the immediate suspension of nuclear and missile tests media reports said on Saturday.
"From April 21 North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles " Efe quoted Kim as saying.
North Korea will also "shut down a nuclear test site in the country s northern side to guarantee transparency in suspending nuclear tests " the report added.
Having established a nuclear deterrent North Korea can now turn to overhauling its economy Kim said.
Pyongyang s move comes ahead of Kim s April 27 summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the demilitarized zone that separates the two countries.
The last in-person talks between the leaders of North and South Korea took place 11 years ago.
What will be the first-ever encounter between the leaders of North Korea and the US is expected to happen in late May or early June.
US President Donald Trump who accepted Kim s proposal for a meeting after months that saw the two men trade insults and threats hailed the announcement from Pyongyang.
"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 " Trump wrote on Twitter.
--IANS
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