South Korea's top office welcomed the North's announcement saying it hoped the explosion in two weeks' time would mark the beginning of a journey for a nuclear-free Kzorean Peninsula.
Our chief Blue House correspondent Moon Connyoung has the details.
South Korea's Blue House welcomed North Korea's announcement outlining steps to dismantle its nuclear testing site.
"We believe such plans demonstrate North Korea's willingness to fulfill their promise made at the inter-Korean summit through action beyond words."
The South's presidential office assessed the move as a good confidence building measure between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the historic summit next month.
April 29th, 2018
"During the inter-Korean summit, North Korea's Chairman Kim Jong-un said he would dismantle its northern nuclear test site in May and that he will invite experts and journalists from South Korea and the U.S. to disclose this process transparently to the international community."
Note the word, "experts" in the April 29th briefing by Mr. Moon's office... and the lack thereof in the North's statement Saturday night.
When asked about this, a key official at the Blue House... said although unsure of the North's true
intentions, he could only imagine that it is to show Kim's willingness to denuclearize quickly and clearly in a transparent manner.
He added an inspection and verification process involving experts would take months and years...
stressing this is only the first step in a long denuclearization process.
He acknowledged, however, that international experts will have to get involved at some point.
Last month, South Korean President Moon Jae-in asked the United Nations to help verify the shutdown.
"We hope the explosive sound of dynamite blasting the Punggyeri tunnel will mark the first salute for a journey toward a nuclear free Korean Peninsula."
"Contrary to some analysts' view that the North's plan to dismantle its nuclear test site is inconsequential and does not represent a material step toward full denuclearization, the Blue House said it views it as an important step nonetheless as a nuclear test pause would at least inhibit the development of a more advanced warhead design.
Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House.
