[ad_1]
SEOUL / WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The South Korean news agency has observed North Korea's preparations for international inspections of several of its nuclear test sites and missiles, the agency said on Wednesday. Yonhap press, citing a South Korean legislator.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects Samjiyon County. KCNA / via REUTERS
The US authorities refused to confirm their comments, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced in Washington that he planned to meet with his North Korean counterpart next week and talk to him about his inspections.
Pompeo said in a radio interview that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was committed to allowing US inspectors to two "important" sites when he met him in Pyongyang this month -this.
"We hope to bring them here too long," he told Laura Ingraham on the show. Pompeo has not identified the sites.
Kim Min-ki, of the ruling Democratic Party in South Korea, told reporters that the national intelligence service had observed North Koreans "carrying out preparatory and intelligence activities that appeared to be in preparation for the visit of foreign inspectors "at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site and at Sohae Satellite Launch Ground.
The legislator added that no major move was observed in Yongbyon, the main nuclear complex in the north.
North Korea has stopped nuclear testing and missile testing in the past year, but it has not allowed the international inspection of the dismantling of Punggye-ri in May, arguing that the action was only aimed at the show and could be canceled.
In September, Kim Jong Un is also engaged at a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae – in to close Sohae and allow experts to observe the dismantling of the site. missile engine tests and a launching pad.
At the time, Moon said North Korea had agreed to let international inspectors observe a "permanent dismantling" of major missile facilities and take additional measures, such as the closure of Yongbyon, in exchange for reciprocal of the United States.
Washington demanded measures such as full disclosure of nuclear facilities and missiles from the North, before accepting Pyongyang's key objectives.
US officials were skeptical of Kim's commitment to abandoning nuclear weapons, but the North's commitment at the summit with the South sparked the enthusiasm of President Donald Trump, who met Kim at an unprecedented summit in June and who wanted a second meeting. .
Mr Pompeo told Laura Ingraham that Washington hoped the second summit would be held early next year "where we can make a breakthrough to reduce North Korea 's nuclear threat.
"There is still a lot of work to be done, and President Kim has made it clear – just as clearly as I'm talking to you, Laura – that he intended to proceed with denuclearization and that we would do everything we can to help it follow through on this commitment. "
Pompeo has not named his counterpart, but Kim Yong Chol, a close associate of Kim Jong Un, has led bargaining sessions with him in the past.
The state department refused to provide details, but the meeting is expected to take place in New York.
Also in Washington, South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said the United States and South Korea would make a decision by December on the joint 2019 major joint military exercises.
Earlier this month, the two countries suspended Vigilant Ace, one of the exercises interrupted to encourage dialogue.
"We are not worried about a loss of combat capability," US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters after meeting with his South Korean counterpart.
"Obviously, as we move forward, we will have to make adjustments to ensure that we do not lose that capacity. But for the moment, again, it is not a total suspension of any collaboration and any military exercise, "added Mattis.
Reportage of Josh Smith; additional reports by David Brunnstrom and Idrees Ali in Washington; edited by Peter Cooney and James Dalgleish
