North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has agreed to permanently close the Tongchang-ri missile testing and launch site, following talks in Pyongyang with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The agreement was part of a broader pledge to work towards denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula.
President Moon announced that both leaders had agreed on a way to achieve denuclearisation, though specific details were not disclosed. Mr Kim also expressed readiness to shut down the Yongbyon nuclear facility if the United States takes reciprocal action, the nature of which remains unspecified.
The closure of Tongchang-ri, which has been used for testing engines of missiles capable of reaching the US, will be carried out in the presence of international experts. Satellite images suggest the site is already being dismantled, allowing inspectors to verify the process.
In addition to denuclearisation, the two Koreas agreed to link their railways, facilitate more family reunions, and cooperate on healthcare. A military agreement was also signed to reduce tensions, including establishing a buffer zone along the border to prevent accidental clashes.
Mr Kim expressed hope to visit Seoul in the near future, which would be a historic first for a North Korean leader. The summit bolstered South Korea's role as a mediator in stalled US-North Korea talks, with US President Donald Trump welcoming the outcome on Twitter.
