Nuclear and missile sites being prepared for inspectors


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North Korea is preparing several of its missile and nuclear test sites for international inspections, reported Wednesday the South Korean Yonhap News Agency.

Kim Min-ki, of the ruling Democratic Party, said the South Korean National Intelligence Service had observed intelligence activities that appeared to be in preparation for a "possible visit from outside experts" on the Punggye-ri nuclear test site and on the satellite launcher Sohae. However, no major movement has been observed at the Yongbyon nuclear complex.

Although North Korea has stopped nuclear testing and missile testing in the past year, it has been criticized for not allowing the international inspection of the dismantling of the Punggye-ri nuclear site in May.

In September, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Northern leader Kim Jong Un pledged to close the Sohae satellite and allow international inspectors to observe a "permanent dismantling". key missile facilities.

This responded to Washington's demands that Pyongyang should take steps to completely shut down nuclear and missile facilities before accepting the North's call for the official end of the Korean War and easing international sanctions.

Kim North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a joint press conference at Paekhwawon State Guesthouse in Pyongyang, North Korea, on September 19, 2018. Photo: Pyeongyang Press corps / Pool / Getty Images

Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with the North Korean leader, who agreed to allow foreign inspectors to visit the Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

"It will take a lot of logistics to execute that, but when we get them, we'll put them on the ground," said Pompeo.

He added that "real progress" in the denuclearization talks would come at a second summit between Kim and President Donald Trump.

"Both leaders believe that real progress can be made, and substantial progress can be made at the next summit. So we will have (this meeting) at a convenient time for each of the two leaders, at a place that works for both of them. We're not there yet, but we'll get there, "said Pompeo.

In August, North Korea threatened to block the denuclearization process by accusing the United States of pushing for international sanctions and making unfounded allegations despite Pyongyang's wishes.

"As long as the United States will even deny the basic decorum of their dialogue partner and hanging on to the outdated scenario that previous administrations have all tried and failed, we can not expect any progress in the implementation, "said a spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry to a statement at the time.

He also accused Washington of "making unfounded allegations against us and desperately trying to escalate international sanctions and pressure" and "insulting the dialogue partner and throwing water at him." cold on our sincere efforts to build trust, which can be considered a prerequisite for implementation "agreement between Kim and Trump.

North Korea said it was still willing to implement the agreement reached at the historic summit on June 12 between the two leaders, during which they signed an agreement pledging to work together to "build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean peninsula".

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