Pyongyang April 21 (TNS): In a major development that could change the course of the region, North Korean recalcitrant Kim Jong Un on Saturday announced to halt nuclear tests and intercontinental missile launches amid diplomatic thaw with South Korea and the United States.
The announcement was hailed by US President Donald Trump and other global leaders as the North Korean leader is expected to meet the US president later this year.
The announcement comes after Kim met with the CIA chief and ahead of a meeting between the North Korean leader South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the Demilitarised Zone later this week.
However, Kim gave no indication that Pyongyang might be willing to give up its nuclear weapons, or the missiles with which it can reach the mainland United States.
The North had successfully developed its arsenal, including miniaturising warheads to fit them on to missiles, Kim said, and so “no nuclear test and intermediate-range and inter-continental ballistic rocket test-fire are necessary for the DPRK now”.
