North Korea to shut down nuclear test site, unify Korean time zones
  • 6 years ago
The South Korean presidential office has released new details about Friday's historic summit talks between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
It looks like the North will be allowing experts and journalists to visit its nuclear site to see that it's really being shut down.
Also, the North has said it will change its time zone so that it's in line again with South Korea's.
Kim Hyesung reports.
The presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae announced Sunday that North Korea has agreed to shut down its nuclear test site and allow an inspection next month.

"North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said during the inter-Korean summit that he would close the nuclear test site located in the northern part of the North(Punggye-ri) in May. To reveal this transparently to the international community, the North said it will invite experts and journalists from South Korea and the U.S."

The press secretary said Kim played down speculation that North Korea was closing down the test site because it is not functioning, saying it is, in fact, still in good condition.
The North Korean leader also reportedly said that when he sits down with President Trump, the U.S. leader will learn that he is not someone who would target the South, the Pacific or the United States with nuclear weapons, adding that Pyongyang would not need nuclear weapons once trust is built with Washington and the U.S. promises nonaggression and an end to the Korean War.
According to the Blue House, North Korea has pledged to stop the use of military force, and said no more blood will be shed on the Korean Peninsula.
Another agreement was that North Korea would change its time zone back to the same as South Korea's.

"The North Korean leader said seeing the two clocks at the Peace House showing Seoul time and Pyongyang time was heartbreaking and he suggested unifying the two time zones."

In August 2015, the North created its own "Pyongyang Time" by setting the clock 30 minutes behind the South.
Kim Hyesung, Arirang News.
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