Ahead of Kim and Trump's summit, North Korea today began the process of dismantling its nuclear sites, the foreign media invited to witness it said.

The destruction of the nuclear sites is taking place in Punggye-ri where North Korea has tested at least six nuclear weapons.

North Korea had declared its intention to dismantle its nuclear arsenal during Kim's meeting with South Korean president Moon.

President Trump had insisted on "denuclearisation" of North Korea as a precondition for talks with North Korean leader Kim.

South Korea Yonhap news agency said multiple explosions were heard throughout the day, beginning at 11am (0300 GMT) until 4.17pm.&nbsp;

The destruction of the nuclear sites is taking place in Punggye-ri where North Korea has tested at least six nuclear weapons.

Ahead of Kim and Trump's summit, North Korea today began the process of dismantling its nuclear sites, the foreign media invited to witness it said. The destruction of the nuclear sites is taking place in Punggye-ri where North Korea has tested at least six nuclear weapons. North Korea had declared its intention to dismantle its nuclear arsenal during Kim's meeting with South Korean president Moon. President Trump had insisted on "denuclearisation" of North Korea as a precondition for talks with North Korean leader Kim. South Korea Yonhap news agency said multiple explosions were heard throughout the day, beginning at 11am (0300 GMT) until 4.17pm.

North Korea dismantling nuclear site: Report

President Donald Trump said today that he was "little surprised" at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "different attitude" after his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-and-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-met-in-china-reports-135511">second meeting</a> with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi and Kim met in the northeastern city of Dalian in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader on May 8.

Trump said the meeting between the two leaders was not a great meeting as there has been a change in North Korea's attitude after that.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-kim-summit-could-be-delayed-138979">Trump says Kim summit could be delayed</a>

"I think that President Xi is a worl-class poker player. I probably maybe doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this, there was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I'm a little surprised," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"Now maybe nothing happened, I'm not blame anybody. But I'm just saying maybe nothing happened and maybe it did. But there was a different attitude by the North Korean folks after that meeting. So I don't think it was a great meeting," Trump said.

Nobody knew about the meeting and all of a sudden it was reported that he was in China a second time, he said.

"The first time everybody knew about, the second time was like a surprise. And I think things changed after that meeting. So I can't say that I'm happy about it," Trump said in presence of South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

He also asked Moon for his views on the Xi-Kim meeting.

"Now President Moon may have a different opinion, I'd like to have your opinion on that. What you thought of the second meeting with President Xi, what is your feeling? You may have an opinion," Trump asked.

"I don't want to get him in trouble, he lives next to China. You know, he's not too far away," he said. 
 
"The second meeting I think there was a little change in attitude from Kim Jong-un", he said.

"Hope that's not true, because I have a great relationship with President Xi. He's a friend of mine, he likes me, I like him. I mean that was two of the great days of my life being in China. I don't think anybody's ever been treated better in China in their history," he said.

"It was an incredible thing to see. We built a very good relationship, we speak a lot. But there was a difference when Kim Jong-un left China the second time. And I think they were dedicating an aircraft carrier that the United States paid for," Trump said.&nbsp;

'I think that President Xi is a world-class poker player. I probably maybe doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this, there was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I'm a little surprised,' Trump said

President Donald Trump said today that he was "little surprised" at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "different attitude" after his second meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi and Kim met in the northeastern city of Dalian in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader on May 8. Trump said the meeting between the two leaders was not a great meeting as there has been a change in North Korea's attitude after that. Also read: Trump says Kim summit could be delayed "I think that President Xi is a worl-class poker player. I probably maybe doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this, there was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I'm a little surprised," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Now maybe nothing happened, I'm not blame anybody. But I'm just saying maybe nothing happened and maybe it did. But there was a different attitude by the North Korean folks after that meeting. So I don't think it was a great meeting," Trump said. Nobody knew about the meeting and all of a sudden it was reported that he was in China a second time, he said. "The first time everybody knew about, the second time was like a surprise. And I think things changed after that meeting. So I can't say that I'm happy about it," Trump said in presence of South Korean President Moon Jae-in. He also asked Moon for his views on the Xi-Kim meeting. "Now President Moon may have a different opinion, I'd like to have your opinion on that. What you thought of the second meeting with President Xi, what is your feeling? You may have an opinion," Trump asked. "I don't want to get him in trouble, he lives next to China. You know, he's not too far away," he said. "The second meeting I think there was a little change in attitude from Kim Jong-un", he said. "Hope that's not true, because I have a great relationship with President Xi. He's a friend of mine, he likes me, I like him. I mean that was two of the great days of my life being in China. I don't think anybody's ever been treated better in China in their history," he said. "It was an incredible thing to see. We built a very good relationship, we speak a lot. But there was a difference when Kim Jong-un left China the second time. And I think they were dedicating an aircraft carrier that the United States paid for," Trump said.

Trump says Kim Jong Un's attitude changed after meeting China's Xi

China expects that the summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States will go smoothly with positive outcomes, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The North Korea–United States summit is a planned future meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States set to take place on June 12, 2018 in Singapore.

"We have always been encouraging and supporting the U.S. and the DPRK to accumulate mutual trust through direct dialogue, so as to advance denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through political means," spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing.

Lu's comment came after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday hinted that his scheduled meeting with the top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un, originally set to be held on June 12, may be delayed.

"We hope that all the relevant sides, particularly the DPRK and the U.S., will seize the opportunity, meet each other halfway, suppress interference and address each others' concerns in a balanced way," Lu said. "We still expect that DPRK-US summit will go smoothly and achieve positive outcomes."

Lu's comment came after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday hinted that his scheduled meeting with the top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un, originally set to be held on June 12, may be delayed.

China expects that the summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States will go smoothly with positive outcomes, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. The North Korea–United States summit is a planned future meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States set to take place on June 12, 2018 in Singapore. "We have always been encouraging and supporting the U.S. and the DPRK to accumulate mutual trust through direct dialogue, so as to advance denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through political means," spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing. Lu's comment came after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday hinted that his scheduled meeting with the top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un, originally set to be held on June 12, may be delayed. "We hope that all the relevant sides, particularly the DPRK and the U.S., will seize the opportunity, meet each other halfway, suppress interference and address each others' concerns in a balanced way," Lu said. "We still expect that DPRK-US summit will go smoothly and achieve positive outcomes."

China expects smooth North Korea-US summit in June

Foreign journalists arrived in Punggye-ri, North Korea today with Kim's regime set to start the demolition of its nuclear site.

The dismantling of nuclear weapons is being seen as a "gesture of goodwill" by Kim ahead of his summit talks with Trump next month which the US president now says could be delayed.

The demolition of the site at &nbspPunggye-ri is set to start in either on Thursday or Friday. Kim's regime had threatened to pull out of talks with Trump last week after it said US should not pressure it to denuclearise and also it should stop joint military drills with South Korea.

South Korean leader Moon Jae-in is playing the role of interlocutor between Trump and Kim but the US president on Tuesday seemed to suggest the talks would be delayed indefinitely.

However, experts believe both Kim and Trump are playing poker ahead of the talks in order to extract something substantial after their meeting and putting their point of view before finally shaking hands.&nbsp

It is being seen as a game of who takes the "upper hand" as June 12th - the day of the talks draws near.

Trump and Kim but the US president on Tuesday seemed to suggest the talks would be delayed indefinitely.

Foreign journalists arrived in Punggye-ri, North Korea today with Kim's regime set to start the demolition of its nuclear site. The dismantling of nuclear weapons is being seen as a "gesture of goodwill" by Kim ahead of his summit talks with Trump next month which the US president now says could be delayed. The demolition of the site at &nbspPunggye-ri is set to start in either on Thursday or Friday. Kim's regime had threatened to pull out of talks with Trump last week after it said US should not pressure it to denuclearise and also it should stop joint military drills with South Korea. South Korean leader Moon Jae-in is playing the role of interlocutor between Trump and Kim but the US president on Tuesday seemed to suggest the talks would be delayed indefinitely. However, experts believe both Kim and Trump are playing poker ahead of the talks in order to extract something substantial after their meeting and putting their point of view before finally shaking hands. It is being seen as a game of who takes the "upper hand" as June 12th - the day of the talks draws near.

Foreign journalists arrive in North Korea ahead of nuclear site demolition

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "serious" about denuclearization, as he remained coy about whether a landmark June 12 summit would go ahead as planned.

"I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, amid fears that apparent North Korean backpedaling could scupper the Singapore summit.

"If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House.

'I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious,' Trump said, amid fears that apparent North Korean backpedaling could scupper the Singapore summit

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "serious" about denuclearization, as he remained coy about whether a landmark June 12 summit would go ahead as planned. "I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, amid fears that apparent North Korean backpedaling could scupper the Singapore summit. "If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House.

Donald Trump says Kim 'serious' about denuclearization

Even as the US declared<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-willing-to-walk-away-from-north-korea-summit-says-mike-pence-138805"> today that it could call off meeting</a>&nbsp;with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, US missile destroyer USS Milius arrived in Japan today to "reinforce defences".

The warships arrived in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-kim-summit-in-play-as-moon-visits-white-house-138837"> Yokosuka Naval Base ahead</a> of President Trump and Kim Jong Un's much hyped June 12th meeting in Singapore.

The Milius joined two other warships in the Seventh Fleet close to North Korean waters.&nbsp;

"What the Milius has now is the latest and greatest upgrade for the combat system," Commander Jennifer Pontius, the ship's captain was quoted as saying to Reuters.

"It creates increased capacity in various mission areas such as ballistic missile defence, electronic warfare, undersea warfare and air warfare, " Pontius added.

Kim had raised the stakes last week after the North Korean government declared that it would call off talks if the US insisted on&nbsp;“unilateral nuclear abandonment.”

North Korea had also objected to joint military drills between the US and South Korea ahead of the talks. Even then, US officials have said they are preparing for summit talks between the two leaders next month.

Vice President said today the US would "walk away"&nbsp;from talks if North Korea&nbsp;sought concessions from the US it did not intend to keep.

Kim had raised the stakes last week after the North Korean government declared that it would call off talks

Even as the US declared today that it could call off meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, US missile destroyer USS Milius arrived in Japan today to "reinforce defences". The warships arrived in Yokosuka Naval Base ahead of President Trump and Kim Jong Un's much hyped June 12th meeting in Singapore. The Milius joined two other warships in the Seventh Fleet close to North Korean waters. "What the Milius has now is the latest and greatest upgrade for the combat system," Commander Jennifer Pontius, the ship's captain was quoted as saying to Reuters. "It creates increased capacity in various mission areas such as ballistic missile defence, electronic warfare, undersea warfare and air warfare, " Pontius added. Kim had raised the stakes last week after the North Korean government declared that it would call off talks if the US insisted on “unilateral nuclear abandonment.” North Korea had also objected to joint military drills between the US and South Korea ahead of the talks. Even then, US officials have said they are preparing for summit talks between the two leaders next month. Vice President said today the US would "walk away" from talks if North Korea sought concessions from the US it did not intend to keep.

Watch: Ahead of Trump-Kim talks, US bolsters Seventh Fleet near Japan

Three weeks before an unprecedented US-North Korea summit is supposed to take place, President Donald Trump will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday as US&nbspofficials try to figure out whether Pyongyang is serious about negotiating a deal on denuclearisation.

Moon’s White House visit was originally arranged as a meeting to fine-tune a joint strategy for dealing with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but has instead become more of a crisis session after Pyongyang last week threatened to pull out of the planned June 12 summit in Singapore.

Moon’s government-led efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea and gave enthusiastic accounts of its encounters with Kim, spurring Trump to accept an offer of the first-ever meeting between US&nbspand North Korean presidents.

But the White House was caught off-guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest US-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threw into doubt the summit with Trump if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment."

Trump has insisted he remains committed to the summit, but Vice President Mike Pence warned on Monday that the president was still willing to walk away from the meeting, telling Fox News that North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions for promises it did not intend to keep.

Trump has warned in the past that the summit might not take place or that he could walk out if it looked like a deal was not possible. His aides are now looking to Moon to help determine whether Kim is taking a harder line against denuclearisation than South Korea had previously communicated to them, a US&nbspofficial said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Other US&nbspofficials have privately expressed concern that Moon, eager to make progress with the North, may have overstated Kim’s willingness to negotiate in good faith over the dismantling of his nuclear arsenal.

Two visits by US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo over the past two months have apparently failed to yield much clarity on Kim’s intentions.

Some in the US&nbspgovernment worries that Moon may be prepared to accept a less-stringent version of North Korean denuclearisation than Washington wants and could be open to faster sanctions relief for Pyongyang, the officials said.

Most analysts say it is unrealistic to believe North Korea will agree to complete abandonment of its nuclear program, which has focused on developing a missile capable of hitting the United States and which Kim sees as crucial to his survival in power.

If the summit is cancelled or fails, it would be a major blow to what Trump supporters hope will be the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency.

The uncertainty comes at a time when Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally, his moving of the US&nbspembassy to Jerusalem has fueled violence on the Israel-Gaza border and he is on the defensive over an investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Treating Trump

North Korea's warning of a possible withdrawal from the summit is seen as an effort to test Trump’s willingness to make concessions on his demands for Pyongyang's denuclearisation, the US&nbspofficial said.

"It’s straight out of North Korea’s playbook," the official said.

North Korea’s condemnation of Trump’s hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, for proposing that North Korea should emulate Libya by abandoning its program of weapons of mass destruction was believed meant to sow divisions within the administration.

Despite Trump having contradicted Bolton on the Libya point, there has been no sign of Bolton losing influence.

Seoul has been hoping to ensure a successful summit after a historic meeting last month between Moon and Kim produced a declaration of goodwill.

But South Korea’s role has been brought into question since last week when North Korea's chief negotiator derided Seoul as "ignorant and incompetent."

Seoul has refrained from responding.

"The heads of South Korea and the United States are expected to discuss measures to guarantee a bright future for North Korea in the case it truly goes through complete denuclearisation," said Nam Gwan-pyo, an official at the presidential Blue House.

Trump has sought to placate Kim by holding out the possibility of economic development, and he pledged on Thursday that Kim’s security would be guaranteed in any deal.

But Trump has insisted on concrete steps before any easing of sanctions and warned that failure to reach a denuclearisation agreement could lead to "decimation" of Kim's rule.

"They are locked into not giving much to the North Koreans early...whereas South Korea probably has a bit more interest in economic incentivization," said Christopher Green, an analyst with the International Crisis Group. "So they need to calibrate between the two of them."

China could also be on the agenda. Trump suggested last week that Beijing, which Washington is at odds with over trade, may be influencing North Korea's hardened stance.

Beijing responded on Friday that it stands for stability on the Korean peninsula and for settlement through diplomacy.

However, Trump on Monday urged China, North Korea's main trading partner, to maintain tight sanctions, tweeting that "the word is that recently the Border has become much more porous."

Trump has insisted he remains committed to the summit, but Vice President Mike Pence warned on Monday that the president was still willing to walk away from the meeting

Three weeks before an unprecedented US-North Korea summit is supposed to take place, President Donald Trump will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday as US&nbspofficials try to figure out whether Pyongyang is serious about negotiating a deal on denuclearisation. Moon’s White House visit was originally arranged as a meeting to fine-tune a joint strategy for dealing with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but has instead become more of a crisis session after Pyongyang last week threatened to pull out of the planned June 12 summit in Singapore. Moon’s government-led efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea and gave enthusiastic accounts of its encounters with Kim, spurring Trump to accept an offer of the first-ever meeting between US&nbspand North Korean presidents. But the White House was caught off-guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest US-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threw into doubt the summit with Trump if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment." Trump has insisted he remains committed to the summit, but Vice President Mike Pence warned on Monday that the president was still willing to walk away from the meeting, telling Fox News that North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions for promises it did not intend to keep. Trump has warned in the past that the summit might not take place or that he could walk out if it looked like a deal was not possible. His aides are now looking to Moon to help determine whether Kim is taking a harder line against denuclearisation than South Korea had previously communicated to them, a US&nbspofficial said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other US&nbspofficials have privately expressed concern that Moon, eager to make progress with the North, may have overstated Kim’s willingness to negotiate in good faith over the dismantling of his nuclear arsenal. Two visits by US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo over the past two months have apparently failed to yield much clarity on Kim’s intentions. Some in the US&nbspgovernment worries that Moon may be prepared to accept a less-stringent version of North Korean denuclearisation than Washington wants and could be open to faster sanctions relief for Pyongyang, the officials said. Most analysts say it is unrealistic to believe North Korea will agree to complete abandonment of its nuclear program, which has focused on developing a missile capable of hitting the United States and which Kim sees as crucial to his survival in power. If the summit is cancelled or fails, it would be a major blow to what Trump supporters hope will be the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency. The uncertainty comes at a time when Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally, his moving of the US&nbspembassy to Jerusalem has fueled violence on the Israel-Gaza border and he is on the defensive over an investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Treating Trump North Korea's warning of a possible withdrawal from the summit is seen as an effort to test Trump’s willingness to make concessions on his demands for Pyongyang's denuclearisation, the US&nbspofficial said. "It’s straight out of North Korea’s playbook," the official said. North Korea’s condemnation of Trump’s hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, for proposing that North Korea should emulate Libya by abandoning its program of weapons of mass destruction was believed meant to sow divisions within the administration. Despite Trump having contradicted Bolton on the Libya point, there has been no sign of Bolton losing influence. Seoul has been hoping to ensure a successful summit after a historic meeting last month between Moon and Kim produced a declaration of goodwill. But South Korea’s role has been brought into question since last week when North Korea's chief negotiator derided Seoul as "ignorant and incompetent." Seoul has refrained from responding. "The heads of South Korea and the United States are expected to discuss measures to guarantee a bright future for North Korea in the case it truly goes through complete denuclearisation," said Nam Gwan-pyo, an official at the presidential Blue House. Trump has sought to placate Kim by holding out the possibility of economic development, and he pledged on Thursday that Kim’s security would be guaranteed in any deal. But Trump has insisted on concrete steps before any easing of sanctions and warned that failure to reach a denuclearisation agreement could lead to "decimation" of Kim's rule. "They are locked into not giving much to the North Koreans early...whereas South Korea probably has a bit more interest in economic incentivization," said Christopher Green, an analyst with the International Crisis Group. "So they need to calibrate between the two of them." China could also be on the agenda. Trump suggested last week that Beijing, which Washington is at odds with over trade, may be influencing North Korea's hardened stance. Beijing responded on Friday that it stands for stability on the Korean peninsula and for settlement through diplomacy. However, Trump on Monday urged China, North Korea's main trading partner, to maintain tight sanctions, tweeting that "the word is that recently the Border has become much more porous."

With North Korea summit on shaky ground, Trump to press South Korean leader

Amid growing speculations over North Korea cancelling the upcoming summit with the United States, the White House has released a commemorative coin for the meet.&nbsp;

In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the Trump administration has released the 'Trip Coin' ahead of the meeting that is scheduled to take place in Singapore on June 12.

The coin has 'Peace Talks' inscribed on it along with the image of both the leaders, facing each other, against the backdrop of the US and the North Korean flag.&nbsp;

The release of the commemorative coin comes shortly after the US President threatened that North Korea could end up like Libya if it fails to fall in line with America's expectations.

"There was some talk about the Libyan model last week, and you know, as the President made clear, this will only end like the Libyan model ended if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal," Vice President Mike Pence said in a television interview on Monday. 
&nbsp;

In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the Trump administration has released the 'trip coin' ahead of the meeting

Amid growing speculations over North Korea cancelling the upcoming summit with the United States, the White House has released a commemorative coin for the meet. In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the Trump administration has released the 'Trip Coin' ahead of the meeting that is scheduled to take place in Singapore on June 12. The coin has 'Peace Talks' inscribed on it along with the image of both the leaders, facing each other, against the backdrop of the US and the North Korean flag. The release of the commemorative coin comes shortly after the US President threatened that North Korea could end up like Libya if it fails to fall in line with America's expectations. "There was some talk about the Libyan model last week, and you know, as the President made clear, this will only end like the Libyan model ended if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal," Vice President Mike Pence said in a television interview on Monday.

Watch: White House releases 'trip coin' ahead of US-N. Korea summit

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump is willing to walk away from an unprecedented summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for next month, US&nbsp;Vice President Mike&nbsp;Pence&nbsp;said&nbsp;on Monday, after North Korea called into question the meeting last week.

Pence&nbsp;said North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions from the United States for promises it did not intend to keep.

"It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump,"&nbsp;Pence&nbsp;said according to excerpts of an interview made available to him. When asked if Trump could still walk away from the summit scheduled for&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;in Singapore, he replied: "Well there's no question."

'It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump,' Pence said

US President Donald Trump is willing to walk away from an unprecedented summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for next month, US Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday, after North Korea called into question the meeting last week. Pence said North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions from the United States for promises it did not intend to keep. "It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump," Pence said according to excerpts of an interview made available to him. When asked if Trump could still walk away from the summit scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, he replied: "Well there's no question."

Trump willing to walk away from North Korea summit: US VP Pence

North Korea has now decided to set up stands for viewers to watch the dismantling of its nuclear test site through satellite imagery between Wednesday (May 23) and Friday (May 25).&nbsp;

Foreign media will be able to witness the process of taking down the nuclear site. On May 18, 38 North had said that additional steps had been taken towards closure of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, possibly including "preparations to build a safe reviewing stand for visitors" to observe the closure of all three Punggye-ri portal areas.&nbsp;

Reports said that the planned site closure will reportedly involve the "collapsing all of its tunnels with explosions, blocking its entrances, and removing all observation facilities, research buildings, and security posts."

Further, it said that North has been trying to make preparations for the foreign journalists to arrive at the nuclear site at Mount Mantap through trains.&nbsp;

Ahead of meeting between North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump in June, North Korea vowed that it would close its nuclear test site and halt nuclear weapons and missile tests.

Quoting the article, Yonhap reported, "The unusual activity observed a week ago, on the hillside near the West Portal, could represent the stockpiling of tunnel timbers and or building materials reclaimed from the ongoing dismantlement effort, but given the exposed hillside location with an unobstructed viewshed, the most likely explanation is that it will form an observation platform to allow journalists to safely view the explosive closure of the North and West Portals."

North Korea, which is believed to have tested six nuclear bombs, has said it will dismantle the Punggye-ri complex - its only known nuclear test site - ahead of a planned meeting in Singapore on June 12 between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

All six of the North's nuclear tests, the latest and by far the most powerful in September last year, which Pyongyang said was an H-bomb, were conducted at the Punggye-ri facility.

The dismantling of the site is expected to take place between May 23 and 25

North Korea has now decided to set up stands for viewers to watch the dismantling of its nuclear test site through satellite imagery between Wednesday (May 23) and Friday (May 25). Foreign media will be able to witness the process of taking down the nuclear site. On May 18, 38 North had said that additional steps had been taken towards closure of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, possibly including "preparations to build a safe reviewing stand for visitors" to observe the closure of all three Punggye-ri portal areas. Reports said that the planned site closure will reportedly involve the "collapsing all of its tunnels with explosions, blocking its entrances, and removing all observation facilities, research buildings, and security posts." Further, it said that North has been trying to make preparations for the foreign journalists to arrive at the nuclear site at Mount Mantap through trains. Ahead of meeting between North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump in June, North Korea vowed that it would close its nuclear test site and halt nuclear weapons and missile tests. Quoting the article, Yonhap reported, "The unusual activity observed a week ago, on the hillside near the West Portal, could represent the stockpiling of tunnel timbers and or building materials reclaimed from the ongoing dismantlement effort, but given the exposed hillside location with an unobstructed viewshed, the most likely explanation is that it will form an observation platform to allow journalists to safely view the explosive closure of the North and West Portals." North Korea, which is believed to have tested six nuclear bombs, has said it will dismantle the Punggye-ri complex - its only known nuclear test site - ahead of a planned meeting in Singapore on June 12 between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. All six of the North's nuclear tests, the latest and by far the most powerful in September last year, which Pyongyang said was an H-bomb, were conducted at the Punggye-ri facility.

North Korea to install stands for audience to watch dismantling of nuclear test site

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN.

Trump is scheduled to hold a landmark summit with the North Korean leader June 12 in Singapore, but Pyongyang recently has threatened to pull out over US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment."&nbsp

"China must continue to be strong & tight on the Border of North Korea until a deal is made," Trump tweeted, suggesting China may have eased up on enforcing economic sanctions against Pyongyang.

"The word is that recently the Border has become much more porous and more has been filtering in.", he wrote, adding he wants North Korea to be 'VERY successful,' but only once a deal has been reached on denuclearization," he said.&nbsp

China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

Besides protesting US disarmament demands, North Korea also angrily condemned joint US-South Korean military exercises, and last week pulled out of planned inter-Korean talks.

Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton also has drawn Pyongyang's ire by referring to Libya as a denuclearization model. After giving up Libya's nuclear program in 2003, leader Moamer Kadhafi was killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.

North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that saw Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit in the Demilitarized Zone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and meet twice with China's President Xi Jinping.

As prospects for the Singapore summit dimmed, Trump offered assurances that if the summit is successful, Kim "will get protections that will be very strong."

"He'd be in his country and running his country. His country would be very rich," he told reporters last week.

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN. Trump is scheduled to hold a landmark summit with the North Korean leader June 12 in Singapore, but Pyongyang recently has threatened to pull out over US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment." "China must continue to be strong & tight on the Border of North Korea until a deal is made," Trump tweeted, suggesting China may have eased up on enforcing economic sanctions against Pyongyang. "The word is that recently the Border has become much more porous and more has been filtering in.", he wrote, adding he wants North Korea to be 'VERY successful,' but only once a deal has been reached on denuclearization," he said. China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs. Besides protesting US disarmament demands, North Korea also angrily condemned joint US-South Korean military exercises, and last week pulled out of planned inter-Korean talks. Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton also has drawn Pyongyang's ire by referring to Libya as a denuclearization model. After giving up Libya's nuclear program in 2003, leader Moamer Kadhafi was killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that saw Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit in the Demilitarized Zone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and meet twice with China's President Xi Jinping. As prospects for the Singapore summit dimmed, Trump offered assurances that if the summit is successful, Kim "will get protections that will be very strong." "He'd be in his country and running his country. His country would be very rich," he told reporters last week.

Trump urges China to clamp down on North Korea border

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumaraswamy-to-meet-sonia-rahul-today-in-delhi-congress-may-get-20-seats-in-karnatakas-33-member-cabinet-138488">Kumaraswamy to meet Sonia, Rahul today in Delhi Cong may get 20 seats in Karnataka cabinet, JD(S) 13</a>

HD Kumaraswamy, who will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, will be in Delhi today to meet Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-demands-probe-of-alleged-spying-on-his-campaign-138487">Trump says his presidential campaign was spied on, demands probe</a>

US President Donald Trump demanded Sunday that the Justice Department investigate whether his presidential campaign was "infiltrated" or spied on for political purposes, prompting it to announce it would look into those issues.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481">North Korea installing viewing stands for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481">audience</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481"> to watch </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481">dismantling</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481"> of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481">nuclear</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481"> test site</a>

North Korea has now decided to set up stands for viewers to watch the dismantling of its nuclear test site through satellite imagery between Wednesday (May 23) and Friday (May 25).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-teen-domestic-help-asks-for-salary-is-chopped-into-pieces-138502">Delhi: Teen domestic help asks for salary, is chopped into pieces</a>

A 16-year-old girl was killed and her body was chopped into three pieces by the person who had brought her from Jharkhand to get her employed as a domestic help in Delhi, after she demanded her salary, police said on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-brazilian-woman-swallows-106-cocaine-pills-in-smuggling-bid--138484">Delhi: Brazil woman who swallowed 106 cocaine pills caught at </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-brazilian-woman-swallows-106-cocaine-pills-in-smuggling-bid--138484">airport</a>

A 25-year-old Brazilian woman was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau from Indira Gandhi International Airport after she was caught smuggling cocaine that she had swallowed

Kumaraswamy to meet Sonia, Rahul today in Delhi Cong may get 20 seats in Karnataka cabinet, JD(S) 13 HD Kumaraswamy, who will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, will be in Delhi today to meet Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Trump says his presidential campaign was spied on, demands probe US President Donald Trump demanded Sunday that the Justice Department investigate whether his presidential campaign was "infiltrated" or spied on for political purposes, prompting it to announce it would look into those issues. North Korea installing viewing stands for audience to watch dismantling of nuclear test site North Korea has now decided to set up stands for viewers to watch the dismantling of its nuclear test site through satellite imagery between Wednesday (May 23) and Friday (May 25). Delhi: Teen domestic help asks for salary, is chopped into pieces A 16-year-old girl was killed and her body was chopped into three pieces by the person who had brought her from Jharkhand to get her employed as a domestic help in Delhi, after she demanded her salary, police said on Sunday. Delhi: Brazil woman who swallowed 106 cocaine pills caught at airport A 25-year-old Brazilian woman was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau from Indira Gandhi International Airport after she was caught smuggling cocaine that she had swallowed

News brief: Big stories of the day

China is still in talks with the US and North Korea to work towards North Korea's complete denuclearlisation. Ahead of the meeting between the two countries, set for June in Singapore, President Trump has assured "protection" to North Korea.&nbsp

China further said to welcome the initiative taken by the United States to provide protection to North Korea.

The assurance has also come in the wake of the North Korea's recent claim on the need of a nuclear weapon. North Korea had recently argued its need of nuclear weapon in order to secure itself.

Trump also negated reports that claimed the cancellation of the meeting between North Korea and the US. The reports said that the meeting between the two countries was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-again-lashes-out-at-incompetent-south-korea-over-military-drills-with-us-137765">cancelled</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-again-lashes-out-at-incompetent-south-korea-over-military-drills-with-us-137765"> due to the ongoing military deal</a> between the US and South Korea.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that the essence of the Korean Peninsula issue is security, adding that the concerns of all relevant parties should be settled in a balanced way, including the DPRK's legitimate security concerns.

China called upon all relevant parties to ensure a solution for North Korea."At every stage, all relevant parties should bear their corresponding responsibilities and undertake their related obligations," he said.

Also read:&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/north-korea-pledges-not-to-create-security-concerns-for-india-137548">North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India</a>

China will continue to encourage the United States and the DPRK to move in a positive direction, build mutual trust, resolve their respective concerns through consultations, and make joint efforts to promote the political resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue, Lu said.

The United States, Japan, South Korea, and China had together called for denuclearisation of North Korea. Following that, North Korea dismantled its nuclear site Pyyungg-ri.&nbsp

China further said to welcome the initiative taken by the United States to provide protection to North Korea

China is still in talks with the US and North Korea to work towards North Korea's complete denuclearlisation. Ahead of the meeting between the two countries, set for June in Singapore, President Trump has assured "protection" to North Korea. China further said to welcome the initiative taken by the United States to provide protection to North Korea. The assurance has also come in the wake of the North Korea's recent claim on the need of a nuclear weapon. North Korea had recently argued its need of nuclear weapon in order to secure itself. Trump also negated reports that claimed the cancellation of the meeting between North Korea and the US. The reports said that the meeting between the two countries was cancelled due to the ongoing military deal between the US and South Korea. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that the essence of the Korean Peninsula issue is security, adding that the concerns of all relevant parties should be settled in a balanced way, including the DPRK's legitimate security concerns. China called upon all relevant parties to ensure a solution for North Korea."At every stage, all relevant parties should bear their corresponding responsibilities and undertake their related obligations," he said. Also read: North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India China will continue to encourage the United States and the DPRK to move in a positive direction, build mutual trust, resolve their respective concerns through consultations, and make joint efforts to promote the political resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue, Lu said. The United States, Japan, South Korea, and China had together called for denuclearisation of North Korea. Following that, North Korea dismantled its nuclear site Pyyungg-ri.

China continues to encourage US to work for North Korea's denuclearization

After making high-profile <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-offers-to-mediate-to-clear-doubts-over-north-korea-us-summit-137708">peace overtures towards South Korea</a> and amid a peace summit with Trump next month, North Korea's minister again lashed out at its "ignorant" neighbour in the south denouncing it as "incompetent".

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of North <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-to-cancel-us-summit-137331">Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification</a>, criticised the South for conducting joint military drills once again with the US after earlier warnings to pull out of talks with Trump in Singapore next month.

"Unless the serious situation which led to the suspension of the north-south high-level talks is settled, it will never be easy to sit face to face again with the present regime of South Korea," North's KCNA news agency said in a statement.

North Korea had said earlier that it might not attend the June 12 summit with Trump and South Korean president&nbspMoon&nbspif the military drills do not stop and the US on its part continues to prod&nbspit to dismantle its nuclear arsenal.

"On this opportunity, the present South Korean authorities have been clearly proven to be an ignorant and incompetent group devoid of the elementary sense of the present situation," Ri's statement said.

Despite this, the US said it continues to prepare for next month's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.&nbsp

Heather Nauert, State Department spokeswoman, said: "we will continue to go ahead and plan the meeting between president Trump and Kim Jong-Un."

Meanwhile, Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House next week with efforts underway by both countries to bring Kim to the negotiating&nbsptable in order to help "denuclearise" the Korean peninsula.

However, North Korea's current mood has made several experts sceptical. Kim's regime is especially against US-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills. The exercise reportedly involves US stealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets".

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XDl_nA-tvp0" width="560"></iframe>

Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House next week with efforts underway by both countries to bring Kim to the table

After making high-profile peace overtures towards South Korea and amid a peace summit with Trump next month, North Korea's minister again lashed out at its "ignorant" neighbour in the south denouncing it as "incompetent". Ri Son Gwon, chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, criticised the South for conducting joint military drills once again with the US after earlier warnings to pull out of talks with Trump in Singapore next month. "Unless the serious situation which led to the suspension of the north-south high-level talks is settled, it will never be easy to sit face to face again with the present regime of South Korea," North's KCNA news agency said in a statement. North Korea had said earlier that it might not attend the June 12 summit with Trump and South Korean president&nbspMoon&nbspif the military drills do not stop and the US on its part continues to prod&nbspit to dismantle its nuclear arsenal. "On this opportunity, the present South Korean authorities have been clearly proven to be an ignorant and incompetent group devoid of the elementary sense of the present situation," Ri's statement said. Despite this, the US said it continues to prepare for next month's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Heather Nauert, State Department spokeswoman, said: "we will continue to go ahead and plan the meeting between president Trump and Kim Jong-Un." Meanwhile, Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House next week with efforts underway by both countries to bring Kim to the negotiating&nbsptable in order to help "denuclearise" the Korean peninsula. However, North Korea's current mood has made several experts sceptical. Kim's regime is especially against US-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills. The exercise reportedly involves US stealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets".

North Korea again lashes out at 'incompetent' South Korea over military drills with US

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General VK&nbspSingh (retired) became the first Indian minister to visit North Korea in 20 years as the latter pledged not to ever create concerns for India`s security.

As per a release by the Ministry of External Affairs, Singh arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday for a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks on the entire gamut of bilateral relations with his North Korean counterpart and various other high-level officials.

The MoS highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation. In response to that, North Korea emphasised that being a friendly country, it will never allow any actions that would create concerns for India's security.

Singh met a delegation including Kim Yong Dae, Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People`s Assembly, Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, Minister of Culture Pak Chun Nam and North Korea Vice Foreign Minister Choe Hui Chol.

North Korea also provided an overview of some of the recent development work in the Korean peninsula.

Further, Singh reiterated the ongoing peace process between North-South Korea as he encouraged both the sides to establish peace and prosperity in the Korean peninsula.

India and North Korea also decided to explore possibilities of cooperation in areas of mutual interest including vocational education, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, promotion of yoga and traditional medicines.

The two leaders also agreed on enhancing people-to-people relations in the field of education and culture.Singh visited North Korea on the occasion of completion of 45 years of establishment of diplomatic relations with India.&nbsp

MoS for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation. In response, North Korea emphasised it would never allow any action that would create concerns for India's security

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General VK&nbspSingh (retired) became the first Indian minister to visit North Korea in 20 years as the latter pledged not to ever create concerns for India`s security. As per a release by the Ministry of External Affairs, Singh arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday for a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks on the entire gamut of bilateral relations with his North Korean counterpart and various other high-level officials. The MoS highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation. In response to that, North Korea emphasised that being a friendly country, it will never allow any actions that would create concerns for India's security. Singh met a delegation including Kim Yong Dae, Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People`s Assembly, Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, Minister of Culture Pak Chun Nam and North Korea Vice Foreign Minister Choe Hui Chol. North Korea also provided an overview of some of the recent development work in the Korean peninsula. Further, Singh reiterated the ongoing peace process between North-South Korea as he encouraged both the sides to establish peace and prosperity in the Korean peninsula. India and North Korea also decided to explore possibilities of cooperation in areas of mutual interest including vocational education, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, promotion of yoga and traditional medicines. The two leaders also agreed on enhancing people-to-people relations in the field of education and culture.Singh visited North Korea on the occasion of completion of 45 years of establishment of diplomatic relations with India.

North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India

You could call it the great Korean hiccup, with the caveat that these things have happened before.&nbsp;The apparent trigger was a week-long Air Force exercise involving the US and South Korea. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The North slammed it in its typical fashion: &nbsp;A grim news reader on state-run television warning that "the United States will have to undertake careful deliberations about the fate of the planned North Korea-US summit in light of this provocative military ruckus jointly conducted with the South Korean authorities." 
&nbsp; 
The North Korean statement was actually a double whammy! &nbsp;

Earlier the North had suspended high-level official talks to be held on Wednesday. &nbsp;The South had reason to be puzzled as Kim Jong-Un had indicated he understood why the US and South Korea held joint military exercises. &nbsp;

The hint was he would not object but how does one explain the turnaround? 
&nbsp; 
The pundits on the peninsula suspect Kim maybe opening his cards on the US demand for "unilateral de-nuclearisation". &nbsp;Kim probably wanted to forewarn Trump on what to expect when they sit down for the June summit. &nbsp; &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The US responded cautiously, saying it had not heard anything from Seoul or Pyongyang and was proceeding according to the plan. &nbsp;

Heather Nauert, State Department spokeswoman, had said: "we will continue to go ahead and plan the meeting between president Trump and Kim Jong-Un." 
&nbsp; 
What does the mercurial "rocket man" want? Clearly, he wants to keep his nuclear weapons, his refusal to spell out his views on de-nuclearisation so far may have been deliberate, intended to reap the harvest of goodwill generated by his decision to stop nuclear testing. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Now, rocket man Kim is apparently willing to play. &nbsp;Fittingly he began in Punggye-Ri, where he has so far tested six nuclear devices.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Satellite images of the Punggye-Ri test site in the eastern part of the country show some dismantling work in progress but this has not been extended to the nuclear reactor and uranium enrichment facility in Yongbyon or the missile factory at the military base in Hwange province.

The US is clear about what it wants, a point reiterated by national security adviserJohnn Bolton who said: "what ports should American freighters sail into and what airbases should American cargo planes land at so that we can dismantle your nuclear weapons program, put it in those planes and boats and sail it back to America to put it at oak ridge, Tennessee."

Bolton was referring to the Libyan model, the terms and conditions under which in 2003 and 2004, Libya was stripped of its nuclear material, equipment and uranium in return for sanctions being eased. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"Rocket man" may want something more tangible from the US such as withdrawal of all US forces from South Korea and a nuclear guarantee which is exactly what nuclear guarantee means is not clear maybe a promise his regime will not be targeted, its survival is guaranteed, an end to all sanctions and so on. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
North Korea has many advantages unlike Libya, its nuclear weapons programme is advanced and it has developed and demonstrated its weapons including those that can reach the US. &nbsp;

Kim will also ensure any "de-nuclearization" is phased out with access to sites controlled by him. &nbsp;A deal on de-nuclearization could start with a moratorium on further tests, which Kim announced last month. &nbsp;

It could be followed by a freeze on the production of nuclear materials and the rollback of warhead stocks. &nbsp;This was roughly the experience with the Libyan model. &nbsp;Let's see what shape the Korean model could take but be prepared for anything even a complete reversal of what we've seen so far.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Now rocket man Kim is apparently willing to play. Fittingly he began in Punggye-Ri, where he has so far tested six nuclear devices.

You could call it the great Korean hiccup, with the caveat that these things have happened before. The apparent trigger was a week-long Air Force exercise involving the US and South Korea. The North slammed it in its typical fashion: A grim news reader on state-run television warning that "the United States will have to undertake careful deliberations about the fate of the planned North Korea-US summit in light of this provocative military ruckus jointly conducted with the South Korean authorities." The North Korean statement was actually a double whammy! Earlier the North had suspended high-level official talks to be held on Wednesday. The South had reason to be puzzled as Kim Jong-Un had indicated he understood why the US and South Korea held joint military exercises. The hint was he would not object but how does one explain the turnaround? The pundits on the peninsula suspect Kim maybe opening his cards on the US demand for "unilateral de-nuclearisation". Kim probably wanted to forewarn Trump on what to expect when they sit down for the June summit. The US responded cautiously, saying it had not heard anything from Seoul or Pyongyang and was proceeding according to the plan. Heather Nauert, State Department spokeswoman, had said: "we will continue to go ahead and plan the meeting between president Trump and Kim Jong-Un." What does the mercurial "rocket man" want? Clearly, he wants to keep his nuclear weapons, his refusal to spell out his views on de-nuclearisation so far may have been deliberate, intended to reap the harvest of goodwill generated by his decision to stop nuclear testing. Now, rocket man Kim is apparently willing to play. Fittingly he began in Punggye-Ri, where he has so far tested six nuclear devices. Satellite images of the Punggye-Ri test site in the eastern part of the country show some dismantling work in progress but this has not been extended to the nuclear reactor and uranium enrichment facility in Yongbyon or the missile factory at the military base in Hwange province. The US is clear about what it wants, a point reiterated by national security adviserJohnn Bolton who said: "what ports should American freighters sail into and what airbases should American cargo planes land at so that we can dismantle your nuclear weapons program, put it in those planes and boats and sail it back to America to put it at oak ridge, Tennessee." Bolton was referring to the Libyan model, the terms and conditions under which in 2003 and 2004, Libya was stripped of its nuclear material, equipment and uranium in return for sanctions being eased. "Rocket man" may want something more tangible from the US such as withdrawal of all US forces from South Korea and a nuclear guarantee which is exactly what nuclear guarantee means is not clear maybe a promise his regime will not be targeted, its survival is guaranteed, an end to all sanctions and so on. North Korea has many advantages unlike Libya, its nuclear weapons programme is advanced and it has developed and demonstrated its weapons including those that can reach the US. Kim will also ensure any "de-nuclearization" is phased out with access to sites controlled by him. A deal on de-nuclearization could start with a moratorium on further tests, which Kim announced last month. It could be followed by a freeze on the production of nuclear materials and the rollback of warhead stocks. This was roughly the experience with the Libyan model. Let's see what shape the Korean model could take but be prepared for anything even a complete reversal of what we've seen so far. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion - North Korean hiccup: US should apply 'Libyan model' on North Korea

'<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/natak-in-karnataka-continues-jds-congress-combine-and-bjp-to-meet-governor-again-today-137223">Natak'&nbsp;in Karnataka continues: JD(S)-Congress combine, and BJP to meet Governor again today</a>

The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/varanasi-flyover-collapse-15-dead-11-critically-injured-probe-committee-to-file-report-in-48-hours-137212">Varanasi flyover collapse: 15 dead, 11 critically injured committee to file probe report in 48 hours</a>

15 people have been feared dead and 11 injured after an under-construction bridge in Varanasi collapsed on Tuesday. After being held responsible for the incident, chief project manager HC Tiwari, project manager KR Sudan, assistant engineer Rajesh Singh and engineer Lal Chand have been suspended with immediate effect.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-suspends-talks-with-south-over-military-exercises-warns-on-trump-kim-summit-137211">North Korea calls off talks with South, says may do same with Trump-Kim summit</a>

A cloud has gathered over the upcoming North Korea-United States summit in the wake of recent military drills between South Korea and the US. After calling off Wednesday a scheduled Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to media reports, has also hinted at calling off the United States summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-department-of-justice-fbi-begin-investigating-cambridge-analytica-following-shutdown-137214">US Department of Justice, FBI begin investigating Cambridge Analytica following </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-department-of-justice-fbi-begin-investigating-cambridge-analytica-following-shutdown-137214">shutdown</a>

The Department of Justice and the FBI have started investigating the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica which had announced its shut down last month due to the Facebook scandal.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/meghan-markles-father-pulls-out-of-royal-wedding-due-to-hearth-procedure-137216">Meghan Markle's father says he is having </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/meghan-markles-father-pulls-out-of-royal-wedding-due-to-hearth-procedure-137216">heart</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/meghan-markles-father-pulls-out-of-royal-wedding-due-to-hearth-procedure-137216"> procedure, so not coming to wedding</a>

After news of Actress Meghan Markle's father decided to pull out of the Royal wedding which is set to take place on Saturday, reports on Tuesday said that the reason behind his absence is because he needed a heart procedure.&nbsp;

Read the top five stories of the day here

'Natak' in Karnataka continues: JD(S)-Congress combine, and BJP to meet Governor again today The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government. Varanasi flyover collapse: 15 dead, 11 critically injured committee to file probe report in 48 hours 15 people have been feared dead and 11 injured after an under-construction bridge in Varanasi collapsed on Tuesday. After being held responsible for the incident, chief project manager HC Tiwari, project manager KR Sudan, assistant engineer Rajesh Singh and engineer Lal Chand have been suspended with immediate effect. North Korea calls off talks with South, says may do same with Trump-Kim summit A cloud has gathered over the upcoming North Korea-United States summit in the wake of recent military drills between South Korea and the US. After calling off Wednesday a scheduled Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to media reports, has also hinted at calling off the United States summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. US Department of Justice, FBI begin investigating Cambridge Analytica following shutdown The Department of Justice and the FBI have started investigating the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica which had announced its shut down last month due to the Facebook scandal. Meghan Markle's father says he is having heart procedure, so not coming to wedding After news of Actress Meghan Markle's father decided to pull out of the Royal wedding which is set to take place on Saturday, reports on Tuesday said that the reason behind his absence is because he needed a heart procedure.

News brief: Five big stories of the day

A cloud has gathered over the upcoming North Korea-United States summit in the wake of recent military drills between South Korea and the US.

After calling off Wednesday a scheduled Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to media reports, has also hinted at calling off the United States summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore.

A report on North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency angrily attacked the "Max Thunder" air combat drills, which it said involved US stealth fighters and B-52 bombers, and appeared to mark a break in months of warming ties between North and South Korea and between Pyongyang and Washington.

Any cancellation of the June 12 summit in Singapore, the first meeting between a serving US&nbsp;president and a North Korean leader, would deal a major blow to Trump’s efforts to score the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency.

Trump has raised expectations for a successful meeting even as many analysts have been sceptical of the chances of bridging the gap due to questions about North Korea’s willingness to give up a nuclear arsenal that now threatens the United States.

The KCNA report called the air drills a "provocation" that went against the trend of warming ties.

"This exercise, targeting us, which is being carried out across South Korea, is a flagrant challenge to the Panmunjom Declaration and an intentional military provocation running counter to the positive political development on the Korean Peninsula," KCNA said, referring to a joint statement from an April 27 inter-Korea summit.

"The United States will also have to undertake careful deliberations about the fate of the planned North Korea-US summit in light of this provocative military ruckus jointly conducted with the South Korean authorities," KCNA said.

A Trump-Kim summit until recently had looked impossible given the insults and threats the two leaders exchanged last year over North Korea`s development of nuclear missiles capable of hitting the United States.

"Kim Jong Un had said previously that he understands the need and the utility of the United States and the Republic of Korea continuing in its joint exercises," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a briefing.

"We have not heard anything from that government or the government of South Korea to indicate that we would not continue conducting these exercises or that we would not continue planning for our meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un next month," she said.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the United States would examine the North Korean statement "and continue to coordinate closely with our allies."

South Korea`s National Security Office head Chung Eui-Yong said in early March, after meeting Kim, that the North Korean leader understood that "routine" joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States would continue in spite of a warming of ties.

This was widely considered to be a major North Korea concession, though Pyongyang never publicly withdrew its long-standing demand for an end to the drills.

Kim’s latest move could be aimed at testing Trump’s willingness to make concessions ahead of the summit, which is due to be preceded by a visit to Washington next week by South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

A U.S. government expert on North Korea said Kim may also be trying to gauge whether Trump is willing to walk away from the meeting, which has prompted the president’s supporters to suggest he deserves to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Any acquiescence by Trump to a North Korean demand for a halt to joint drills would likely undermine South Korean and Japanese trust in his commitment to their security. Kim has also shown a desire to win international approval for his diplomatic outreach, and any sign that he is sabotaging the talks could damage this effort.

SUSPENDED NORTH-SOUTH MEETING

KCNA said North Korea was suspending a ministerial-level North-South meeting, which had been due to be held on Wednesday to focus on plans to implement the inter-Korea summit declaration, including promises to formally end the Korean War and pursue "complete denuclearization".

"The US&nbsp;should make efforts to create an atmosphere for mutual respect and confidence before dialogue, not resorting to a foolish farce that may reverse the good trend created with much effort," KCNA said.

The Pentagon said the May 14-25 “Max Thunder” exercises were routine and defensive in nature. A spokesman said the exercises would take place at Gwangju air base and would be "at a scale similar to that of the previous years".

Last year, Max Thunder involved about 1,500 U.S. and South Korean personnel flying aircraft including F-16 fighter jets, according to a US&nbsp;Air Force website.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday the United States would agree to lift sanctions on North Korea if it agreed to completely dismantle its nuclear weapons program, a move that would create economic prosperity that would rival that of South Korea.

North Korea said on Saturday it would dismantle its nuclear bomb test site sometime between May 23 and May 25 to uphold its pledge to cease tests.

Joshua Pollack, of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, said Pyongyang appeared irritated by the U.S. administration`s vow to maintain sanctions in spite of North Korean concessions.

"The North Koreans want a change in tone from the U.S., and at least so far, they`re not hearing one," he said.

A South Korean presidential adviser warned on Tuesday that an incremental North Korean approach to denuclearization would not be acceptable to Trump or the South Korean public.

Bonnie Glaser, of Washington`s Center for Strategic and International Studies, think tank, said Kim may be being influenced by Chinese President Xi Jinping after two recent meetings with the Chinese leader, who has advocated a freeze in North Korea's nuclear program in return for a freeze in U.S.-South Korean drills.

"The fact this issue is back on the table suggests Xi Jinping may have raised it with Kim, and that Kim is carrying Xi’s water," she said.

North Korean talks with South Korea were called off because of military drills between South Korea and the US

A cloud has gathered over the upcoming North Korea-United States summit in the wake of recent military drills between South Korea and the US. After calling off Wednesday a scheduled Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to media reports, has also hinted at calling off the United States summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. A report on North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency angrily attacked the "Max Thunder" air combat drills, which it said involved US stealth fighters and B-52 bombers, and appeared to mark a break in months of warming ties between North and South Korea and between Pyongyang and Washington. Any cancellation of the June 12 summit in Singapore, the first meeting between a serving US president and a North Korean leader, would deal a major blow to Trump’s efforts to score the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency. Trump has raised expectations for a successful meeting even as many analysts have been sceptical of the chances of bridging the gap due to questions about North Korea’s willingness to give up a nuclear arsenal that now threatens the United States. The KCNA report called the air drills a "provocation" that went against the trend of warming ties. "This exercise, targeting us, which is being carried out across South Korea, is a flagrant challenge to the Panmunjom Declaration and an intentional military provocation running counter to the positive political development on the Korean Peninsula," KCNA said, referring to a joint statement from an April 27 inter-Korea summit. "The United States will also have to undertake careful deliberations about the fate of the planned North Korea-US summit in light of this provocative military ruckus jointly conducted with the South Korean authorities," KCNA said. A Trump-Kim summit until recently had looked impossible given the insults and threats the two leaders exchanged last year over North Korea`s development of nuclear missiles capable of hitting the United States. "Kim Jong Un had said previously that he understands the need and the utility of the United States and the Republic of Korea continuing in its joint exercises," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a briefing. "We have not heard anything from that government or the government of South Korea to indicate that we would not continue conducting these exercises or that we would not continue planning for our meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un next month," she said. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the United States would examine the North Korean statement "and continue to coordinate closely with our allies." South Korea`s National Security Office head Chung Eui-Yong said in early March, after meeting Kim, that the North Korean leader understood that "routine" joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States would continue in spite of a warming of ties. This was widely considered to be a major North Korea concession, though Pyongyang never publicly withdrew its long-standing demand for an end to the drills. Kim’s latest move could be aimed at testing Trump’s willingness to make concessions ahead of the summit, which is due to be preceded by a visit to Washington next week by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. A U.S. government expert on North Korea said Kim may also be trying to gauge whether Trump is willing to walk away from the meeting, which has prompted the president’s supporters to suggest he deserves to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Any acquiescence by Trump to a North Korean demand for a halt to joint drills would likely undermine South Korean and Japanese trust in his commitment to their security. Kim has also shown a desire to win international approval for his diplomatic outreach, and any sign that he is sabotaging the talks could damage this effort. SUSPENDED NORTH-SOUTH MEETING KCNA said North Korea was suspending a ministerial-level North-South meeting, which had been due to be held on Wednesday to focus on plans to implement the inter-Korea summit declaration, including promises to formally end the Korean War and pursue "complete denuclearization". "The US should make efforts to create an atmosphere for mutual respect and confidence before dialogue, not resorting to a foolish farce that may reverse the good trend created with much effort," KCNA said. The Pentagon said the May 14-25 “Max Thunder” exercises were routine and defensive in nature. A spokesman said the exercises would take place at Gwangju air base and would be "at a scale similar to that of the previous years". Last year, Max Thunder involved about 1,500 U.S. and South Korean personnel flying aircraft including F-16 fighter jets, according to a US Air Force website. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday the United States would agree to lift sanctions on North Korea if it agreed to completely dismantle its nuclear weapons program, a move that would create economic prosperity that would rival that of South Korea. North Korea said on Saturday it would dismantle its nuclear bomb test site sometime between May 23 and May 25 to uphold its pledge to cease tests. Joshua Pollack, of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, said Pyongyang appeared irritated by the U.S. administration`s vow to maintain sanctions in spite of North Korean concessions. "The North Koreans want a change in tone from the U.S., and at least so far, they`re not hearing one," he said. A South Korean presidential adviser warned on Tuesday that an incremental North Korean approach to denuclearization would not be acceptable to Trump or the South Korean public. Bonnie Glaser, of Washington`s Center for Strategic and International Studies, think tank, said Kim may be being influenced by Chinese President Xi Jinping after two recent meetings with the Chinese leader, who has advocated a freeze in North Korea's nuclear program in return for a freeze in U.S.-South Korean drills. "The fact this issue is back on the table suggests Xi Jinping may have raised it with Kim, and that Kim is carrying Xi’s water," she said.

North Korea calls off talks with South, says may do same with Trump-Kim summit

The White House is "still hopeful" the summit between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump will proceed despite Pyongyang's threat to cancel it, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Wednesday.

"We're still hopeful that the meeting will take place and we'll continue down that path," Sanders told Fox News. "At the same time ... we've been prepared that these might be tough negotiations."

"The president is ready if the meeting takes place. And if it doesn't, we will continue the maximum pressure campaign that has been ongoing."

The North warned it may back out of the high-level summit -- set for June 12 in Singapore -- if the United States pressures it to relinquish its nuclear arsenal.

"If the US is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue," first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by state media.

China, North Korea's sole major ally, voiced "hope" the meeting would still go ahead.

In recent weeks Kim has twice met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pyongyang has announced it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week.

In addition to brandishing threats over the slated meeting with Trump, North Korea cancelled high-level talks due Wednesday with Seoul over the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the US and South Korea, denouncing the drills as a "rude and wicked provocation."

&nbsp

 
&nbsp

China, North Korea's sole major ally, voiced "hope" the meeting would still go ahead

The White House is "still hopeful" the summit between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump will proceed despite Pyongyang's threat to cancel it, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Wednesday. "We're still hopeful that the meeting will take place and we'll continue down that path," Sanders told Fox News. "At the same time ... we've been prepared that these might be tough negotiations." "The president is ready if the meeting takes place. And if it doesn't, we will continue the maximum pressure campaign that has been ongoing." The North warned it may back out of the high-level summit -- set for June 12 in Singapore -- if the United States pressures it to relinquish its nuclear arsenal. "If the US is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue," first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by state media. China, North Korea's sole major ally, voiced "hope" the meeting would still go ahead. In recent weeks Kim has twice met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pyongyang has announced it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week. In addition to brandishing threats over the slated meeting with Trump, North Korea cancelled high-level talks due Wednesday with Seoul over the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the US and South Korea, denouncing the drills as a "rude and wicked provocation."

White House says 'still hopeful' Kim-Trump summit will happen

India's minister of state for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-to-cancel-us-summit-137331">external affairs General VK Singh</a> visited North Korea from May 15-16.

India and North Korea had established diplomatic relations in December, 1973, this year marks the 45th anniversary of relations between the two countries.

The moves comes as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-suspends-talks-with-south-over-military-exercises-warns-on-trump-kim-summit-137211">President Trump is due to meet</a> North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore next month. Kim had met South&nbsp;Korean president&nbsp;&nbsp;Moon Jae-in along the DMZ last month and had announced moves to "denuclearize" his country.&nbsp;

During the visit, VK Singh held discussions with the Kim Yong Dae, vice-president of the praesidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Ri Yong Ho and foreign minister Pak Chun Nam.

India's external affairs minister also met with North Korea's minister of culture and vice foreign minister and discussed a range of issues covering political, regional, economic, educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The North Korean side provided an overview of some of the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula, sources said.

On his part, VK Singh reiterated India’s support to the joint peace initiative between North and South Korea encouraging both sides for their efforts towards establishment of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.&nbsp;

VK Singh also highlighted the threat from nuclear proliferation, in particular, India's concern in the context of the proliferation linkages with India's neighbourhood, sources added.

The North Korean side emphasized that "as a friendly country it will never allow any action that would create concerns for India's security."

The North Korean side provided an overview of some of the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula, sources said.

India's minister of state for external affairs General VK Singh visited North Korea from May 15-16. India and North Korea had established diplomatic relations in December, 1973, this year marks the 45th anniversary of relations between the two countries. The moves comes as President Trump is due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore next month. Kim had met South Korean president Moon Jae-in along the DMZ last month and had announced moves to "denuclearize" his country. During the visit, VK Singh held discussions with the Kim Yong Dae, vice-president of the praesidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Ri Yong Ho and foreign minister Pak Chun Nam. India's external affairs minister also met with North Korea's minister of culture and vice foreign minister and discussed a range of issues covering political, regional, economic, educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries. The North Korean side provided an overview of some of the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula, sources said. On his part, VK Singh reiterated India’s support to the joint peace initiative between North and South Korea encouraging both sides for their efforts towards establishment of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. VK Singh also highlighted the threat from nuclear proliferation, in particular, India's concern in the context of the proliferation linkages with India's neighbourhood, sources added. The North Korean side emphasized that "as a friendly country it will never allow any action that would create concerns for India's security."

In a first, India's minister VK Singh visits North Korea, meets top officials

North Korea threatened Wednesday to cancel the forthcoming summit between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump if Washington seeks to push Pyongyang into unilaterally giving up its nuclear arsenal.

It also cancelled high-level talks due Wednesday with Seoul over the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the United States and South Korea, denouncing the drills as a "rude and wicked provocation".

It is a sudden and dramatic return to the the rhetoric of the past by Pyongyang, after months of rapid diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula.

"If the US is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue," first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by state media.

In that case, he added, Pyongyang would have to "reconsider" its participation at the summit, due in Singapore on June 12.

The North's arsenal is expected to be at the top of the agenda of the historic talks, but Pyongyang has long insisted it needs the weapons to defend itself against invasion by the US.

Washington is pressing for its complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. But so far the North has not given any public indication of what concessions it is offering, beyond euphemistic commitments to denuclearisation of the "Korean peninsula".

Pyongyang had "made clear on several occasions that precondition for denuclearisation is to put an end to anti-DPRK hostile policy and nuclear threats and blackmail of the United States", minister Kim said.

In the past, Pyongyang has demanded the withdrawal of the US troops stationed in the South to protect it from its neighbour, and an end to Washington's nuclear umbrella over its security ally.

The minister also blasted US National Security Advisor John Bolton's talk of a "Libyan model" for North Korean denuclearisation.

It was a "sinister move to impose on our dignified state the destiny of Libya or Iraq", he said. "I cannot suppress indignation at such moves of the US, and harbour doubt about the US sincerity."

The North has long said it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against a US invasion. After giving up his atomic programme, Libyan leader Moamer Khadafi was killed in an uprising backed by NATO bombing.

Minister Kim also dismissed offers by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has visited Pyongyang twice in recent weeks, coming back the second time with three released US detainees - for US economic aid if the North denuclearises.

"We have never had any expectation of US support in carrying out our economic construction and will not at all make such a deal in future," Kim said.

In recent weeks, as well as an eye-catching summit with the South's leader last month in the Demilitarized Zone, Kim has twice met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pyongyang has announced it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week.

Analysts said Pyongyang was now trying to redefine the terms of the debate.

"It's a diplomatic tactic," Kim Hyun-wook, professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, told AFP, calling it "brinkmanship to change the US position".&nbsp

"It looks like Kim Jong Un was pushed into accepting US demands for 'denuclearisation-first' but is now trying to change its position after normalising North Korea-China relations and securing economic assistance," he added. &nbsp

"The classic North Korean tightrope diplomacy between the US and China has begun."

US officials have repeatedly claimed credit for Washington's "maximum pressure" policy for bringing Pyongyang to the negotiating table.

Joshua Pollack of the Middlebury Institute for International Studies said Pyongyang had been irritated by the "triumphalist tone".

"The North Koreans aren't happy with what they're seeing and hearing," he said. "There is still a yawning gulf between expectations for diplomacy in Pyongyang and Washington, DC."

Earlier KCNA denounced the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the US and South Korea as a "rude and wicked provocation", and Seoul said it had received a message cancelling planned high-level talks "indefinitely".

The two-week drills started last Friday and involves some 100 aircraft from the two allies, including F-22 stealth fighter jets.

Pyongyang's move was "regrettable", said unification ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun, adding it "contradicts the fundamental spirit and purpose of the Panmunjom Declaration".

Hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War stopped with a ceasefire, leaving the two halves of the peninsula divided by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and still technically at war.

The North has spent decades developing its atomic arsenal and missiles capable of reaching the US, earning itself multiple rounds of UN Security Council resolutions, while Trump and Kim traded personal insults and threats of war last year.

Relations underwent a sudden turnaround as Moon used February's Winter Olympics in the South to broker talks between Washington and Pyongyang.

Washington said it will continue to plan the meeting in Singapore on June 12, with State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert telling reporters it had received "no notification" of a position change by North Korea.

The exercises were "not provocative" and would continue, she added.

It is a sudden and dramatic return to the rhetoric of the past by Pyongyang, after months of rapid diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula

North Korea threatened Wednesday to cancel the forthcoming summit between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump if Washington seeks to push Pyongyang into unilaterally giving up its nuclear arsenal. It also cancelled high-level talks due Wednesday with Seoul over the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the United States and South Korea, denouncing the drills as a "rude and wicked provocation". It is a sudden and dramatic return to the the rhetoric of the past by Pyongyang, after months of rapid diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula. "If the US is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue," first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by state media. In that case, he added, Pyongyang would have to "reconsider" its participation at the summit, due in Singapore on June 12. The North's arsenal is expected to be at the top of the agenda of the historic talks, but Pyongyang has long insisted it needs the weapons to defend itself against invasion by the US. Washington is pressing for its complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. But so far the North has not given any public indication of what concessions it is offering, beyond euphemistic commitments to denuclearisation of the "Korean peninsula". Pyongyang had "made clear on several occasions that precondition for denuclearisation is to put an end to anti-DPRK hostile policy and nuclear threats and blackmail of the United States", minister Kim said. In the past, Pyongyang has demanded the withdrawal of the US troops stationed in the South to protect it from its neighbour, and an end to Washington's nuclear umbrella over its security ally. The minister also blasted US National Security Advisor John Bolton's talk of a "Libyan model" for North Korean denuclearisation. It was a "sinister move to impose on our dignified state the destiny of Libya or Iraq", he said. "I cannot suppress indignation at such moves of the US, and harbour doubt about the US sincerity." The North has long said it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against a US invasion. After giving up his atomic programme, Libyan leader Moamer Khadafi was killed in an uprising backed by NATO bombing. Minister Kim also dismissed offers by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has visited Pyongyang twice in recent weeks, coming back the second time with three released US detainees - for US economic aid if the North denuclearises. "We have never had any expectation of US support in carrying out our economic construction and will not at all make such a deal in future," Kim said. In recent weeks, as well as an eye-catching summit with the South's leader last month in the Demilitarized Zone, Kim has twice met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pyongyang has announced it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week. Analysts said Pyongyang was now trying to redefine the terms of the debate. "It's a diplomatic tactic," Kim Hyun-wook, professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, told AFP, calling it "brinkmanship to change the US position". "It looks like Kim Jong Un was pushed into accepting US demands for 'denuclearisation-first' but is now trying to change its position after normalising North Korea-China relations and securing economic assistance," he added. "The classic North Korean tightrope diplomacy between the US and China has begun." US officials have repeatedly claimed credit for Washington's "maximum pressure" policy for bringing Pyongyang to the negotiating table. Joshua Pollack of the Middlebury Institute for International Studies said Pyongyang had been irritated by the "triumphalist tone". "The North Koreans aren't happy with what they're seeing and hearing," he said. "There is still a yawning gulf between expectations for diplomacy in Pyongyang and Washington, DC." Earlier KCNA denounced the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the US and South Korea as a "rude and wicked provocation", and Seoul said it had received a message cancelling planned high-level talks "indefinitely". The two-week drills started last Friday and involves some 100 aircraft from the two allies, including F-22 stealth fighter jets. Pyongyang's move was "regrettable", said unification ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun, adding it "contradicts the fundamental spirit and purpose of the Panmunjom Declaration". Hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War stopped with a ceasefire, leaving the two halves of the peninsula divided by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and still technically at war. The North has spent decades developing its atomic arsenal and missiles capable of reaching the US, earning itself multiple rounds of UN Security Council resolutions, while Trump and Kim traded personal insults and threats of war last year. Relations underwent a sudden turnaround as Moon used February's Winter Olympics in the South to broker talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Washington said it will continue to plan the meeting in Singapore on June 12, with State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert telling reporters it had received "no notification" of a position change by North Korea. The exercises were "not provocative" and would continue, she added.

North Korea threatens to cancel US summit

North Korea will participate with the international organisation in its effort on a complete ban on nuclear tests.&nbsp;

The North Korean ambassador to the United States in Geneva, Han Tae Song said this in a conference on Disarmament on Tuesday.&nbsp;

He said, "Discontinuation of nuclear tests and follow up measures are an important process for global disarmament and DPRK will join international disarmament efforts for a total ban on nuclear tests".

North Korea and South Korea will hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16 where the two countries will discuss measures to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone last month. The leaders met in a summit that was held between the two countries in over a decade. The meeting aimed at "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula.

He said, 'Discontinuation of nuclear tests and follow up measures are an important process for global disarmament and DPRK will join international disarmament efforts for a total ban on nuclear tests'

North Korea will participate with the international organisation in its effort on a complete ban on nuclear tests. The North Korean ambassador to the United States in Geneva, Han Tae Song said this in a conference on Disarmament on Tuesday. He said, "Discontinuation of nuclear tests and follow up measures are an important process for global disarmament and DPRK will join international disarmament efforts for a total ban on nuclear tests". North Korea and South Korea will hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16 where the two countries will discuss measures to denuclearise the Korean peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone last month. The leaders met in a summit that was held between the two countries in over a decade. The meeting aimed at "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea will join 'efforts for total ban on nuclear tests'

North Korea and South Korea agreed on Tuesday to hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16 to discuss steps needed to uphold the pledge to denuclearise the Korean peninsula, South Korea`s Unification Ministry said.&nbsp

The meeting will discuss specific plans needed to carry out the April 27 inter-Korea summit declaration, which includes pledges to finally end a seven-decade war this year, and pursue "complete denuclearisation".

"The South and North will hold a high-level inter-Korea meeting on May 16 in the Peace House in Panmunjom, to discuss implementation of `Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula," the Unification Ministry said in a statement.

The meeting would be the latest in a series of actions taken by North Korea that have spurred hopes that the seven-decade conflict on the Korean Peninsula may be coming to an end.&nbsp

North Korea has scheduled the dismantlement of its nuclear bomb test site for sometime between May 23-25 in order to uphold its pledge to discontinue nuclear tests, the country`s state media reported on Saturday, a month ahead of a planned North Korea-U.S. summit in Singapore.

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet on June 12, a scenario that seemed improbable given the insults and threats exchanged between the two leaders in the past year.&nbsp

Wednesday`s inter-Korea talks will see North Korea send a 29-member delegation led by Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the ‘Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the country`. Also in the delegation will be Kim Yun-hyok, vice minister of Railways, and Won Kil-U, vice minister of Physical Culture and Sports.

From South Korea, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon will led a team of five.&nbsp

The meeting will discuss specific plans needed to carry out the April 27 inter-Korea summit declaration, which includes pledges to finally end a seven-decade war this year, and pursue 'complete denuclearisation'

North Korea and South Korea agreed on Tuesday to hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16 to discuss steps needed to uphold the pledge to denuclearise the Korean peninsula, South Korea`s Unification Ministry said. The meeting will discuss specific plans needed to carry out the April 27 inter-Korea summit declaration, which includes pledges to finally end a seven-decade war this year, and pursue "complete denuclearisation". "The South and North will hold a high-level inter-Korea meeting on May 16 in the Peace House in Panmunjom, to discuss implementation of `Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula," the Unification Ministry said in a statement. The meeting would be the latest in a series of actions taken by North Korea that have spurred hopes that the seven-decade conflict on the Korean Peninsula may be coming to an end. North Korea has scheduled the dismantlement of its nuclear bomb test site for sometime between May 23-25 in order to uphold its pledge to discontinue nuclear tests, the country`s state media reported on Saturday, a month ahead of a planned North Korea-U.S. summit in Singapore. U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet on June 12, a scenario that seemed improbable given the insults and threats exchanged between the two leaders in the past year. Wednesday`s inter-Korea talks will see North Korea send a 29-member delegation led by Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the ‘Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the country`. Also in the delegation will be Kim Yun-hyok, vice minister of Railways, and Won Kil-U, vice minister of Physical Culture and Sports. From South Korea, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon will led a team of five.

North, South Korea to hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that Washington has agreed to lift the sanctions imposed on North Korea if it agrees to completely eliminate its nuclear program.&nbsp

This move would create economic prosperity that "will rival" South Korea. &nbsp

Speaking on several Sunday morning talk shows, Pompeo said the United States would not be willing to invest taxpayer dollars to help the country but was willing to "lift sanctions" to pave the way for private American investment in North Korea’s energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.

Pompeo's comments come ahead of a planned June 12 meeting in Singapore between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, the first such meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.

“What Chairman Kim will get from America is our finest – our entrepreneurs, our risk takers, our capital providers...They will get private capital that comes in. North Korea is desperately in need of energy...for their people. They are in great need of agricultural equipment and technology,” he said on CBS's “Face the Nation.”

“We can create conditions for real economic prosperity for the North Korean people that will rival that of the South,” he added.

On Friday, North Korea said that it is taking measures to dismantle its nuclear test site. The test tunnels would be blown up, blocking their entries, the statement said.

All observation facilities and research institutes would be removed along with guards and researchers, it said, detailing the process of closing the site.&nbsp

US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site.&nbsp

Last month, Pompeo became the first known U.S. official to meet with Kim, where he helped lay the ground work for the upcoming meeting with Trump.

He returned again to North Korea last week for a second meeting, after which Kim agreed to the historic release of three American prisoners.

Pompeo's comments come ahead of a planned June 12 meeting in Singapore between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that Washington has agreed to lift the sanctions imposed on North Korea if it agrees to completely eliminate its nuclear program. This move would create economic prosperity that "will rival" South Korea. Speaking on several Sunday morning talk shows, Pompeo said the United States would not be willing to invest taxpayer dollars to help the country but was willing to "lift sanctions" to pave the way for private American investment in North Korea’s energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors. Pompeo's comments come ahead of a planned June 12 meeting in Singapore between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, the first such meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. “What Chairman Kim will get from America is our finest – our entrepreneurs, our risk takers, our capital providers...They will get private capital that comes in. North Korea is desperately in need of energy...for their people. They are in great need of agricultural equipment and technology,” he said on CBS's “Face the Nation.” “We can create conditions for real economic prosperity for the North Korean people that will rival that of the South,” he added. On Friday, North Korea said that it is taking measures to dismantle its nuclear test site. The test tunnels would be blown up, blocking their entries, the statement said. All observation facilities and research institutes would be removed along with guards and researchers, it said, detailing the process of closing the site. US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site. Last month, Pompeo became the first known U.S. official to meet with Kim, where he helped lay the ground work for the upcoming meeting with Trump. He returned again to North Korea last week for a second meeting, after which Kim agreed to the historic release of three American prisoners.

US to lift sanctions on North Korea if it meets demands, says Pompeo

North Korea will never completely give up its nuclear weapons, a top defector said ahead of leader Kim Jong Un's landmark summit with US President Donald Trump next month.

The current whirlwind of diplomacy and negotiations will not end with "a sincere and complete disarmament" but with "a reduced North Korean nuclear threat", said Thae Yong-ho, who fled his post as the North's deputy ambassador to Britain in August 2016.

"In the end, North Korea will remain 'a nuclear power packaged as a non-nuclear state'," Thae told the South's Newsis news agency.

His remarks come ahead of an unprecedented summit between Kim and Trump in Singapore on June 12 where North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes are expected to dominate the agenda.

North and South Korea affirmed their commitment to the goal of denuclearisation of the peninsula at summit last month, and Pyongyang announced at the weekend it will destroy its only known nuclear test site next week.

But it has not made public what concessions it is offering.

Washington is seeking the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation (CVID)" of the North and stresses that verification will be key.

Pyongyang has said it does not need nuclear weapons if the security of its regime is guaranteed.

But Thae, one of the highest ranking officials to have defected in recent years, said: "North Korea will argue that the process of nuclear disarmament will lead to the collapse of North Korea and oppose CVID."

The North wanted to ensure Kim's "absolute power" and its model of hereditary succession, he added, and would oppose intrusive inspections as they "would be viewed as a process of breaking down Kim Jong Un's absolute power in front of the eyes of ordinary North Koreans and elites".

At a party meeting last month when Kim proclaimed the development of the North's nuclear force complete and promised no more nuclear or missile tests, he called its arsenal "a powerful treasured sword for defending peace".

"Giving it up soon after Kim Jong Un himself labelled it the 'treasured sword for defending peace' and a firm guarantee for the future? It can never happen," Thae said.

In his memoir that hit shelves Monday, Thae added: "More people should realise that North Korea is desperately clinging to its nuclear programme more than anything."

Tensions on and around the peninsula had been mounting for years as Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes saw it subjected to multiple rounds of increasingly strict sanctions by the UN Security Council, the US, EU, South Korea and others.

Trump last year threatened the North with "fire and fury".

But since the Winter Olympics in the South, Pyongyang and Washington have agreed to the unprecedented Singapore meeting.

Kim has also twice visited China after not paying his respects to President Xi Jinping in the six years since he inherited power from his father, and met the South's President Moon Jae-in in the Demilitarized Zone that divides their countries.

North Korea's sudden change in attitude was probably driven by the mounting international sanctions imposed over its weapons programmes that had begun to take a toll on the livelihoods of ordinary citizens, Thae said.

As of last year the UN Security Council sanctions included measures on sectors such as coal, fish, textiles and overseas workers.

"North Korea did not foresee the destructive power of these sanctions," Thae told the interview. "These sanctions are threatening the livelihoods of millions of North Koreans at the root."

But Pyongyang had a long history of making overtures that ultimately came to nothing, he warned.

"North Korea's diplomacy has always been a repeat of hardline and appeasement," Thae said.

"It is North Korea's diplomatic tactic to push the situatio

North Korea will never give up its nuclear weapons, a top defector said ahead of Kim Jong Un's landmark summit with US President Donald Trump

North Korea will never completely give up its nuclear weapons, a top defector said ahead of leader Kim Jong Un's landmark summit with US President Donald Trump next month. The current whirlwind of diplomacy and negotiations will not end with "a sincere and complete disarmament" but with "a reduced North Korean nuclear threat", said Thae Yong-ho, who fled his post as the North's deputy ambassador to Britain in August 2016. "In the end, North Korea will remain 'a nuclear power packaged as a non-nuclear state'," Thae told the South's Newsis news agency. His remarks come ahead of an unprecedented summit between Kim and Trump in Singapore on June 12 where North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes are expected to dominate the agenda. North and South Korea affirmed their commitment to the goal of denuclearisation of the peninsula at summit last month, and Pyongyang announced at the weekend it will destroy its only known nuclear test site next week. But it has not made public what concessions it is offering. Washington is seeking the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation (CVID)" of the North and stresses that verification will be key. Pyongyang has said it does not need nuclear weapons if the security of its regime is guaranteed. But Thae, one of the highest ranking officials to have defected in recent years, said: "North Korea will argue that the process of nuclear disarmament will lead to the collapse of North Korea and oppose CVID." The North wanted to ensure Kim's "absolute power" and its model of hereditary succession, he added, and would oppose intrusive inspections as they "would be viewed as a process of breaking down Kim Jong Un's absolute power in front of the eyes of ordinary North Koreans and elites". At a party meeting last month when Kim proclaimed the development of the North's nuclear force complete and promised no more nuclear or missile tests, he called its arsenal "a powerful treasured sword for defending peace". "Giving it up soon after Kim Jong Un himself labelled it the 'treasured sword for defending peace' and a firm guarantee for the future? It can never happen," Thae said. In his memoir that hit shelves Monday, Thae added: "More people should realise that North Korea is desperately clinging to its nuclear programme more than anything." Tensions on and around the peninsula had been mounting for years as Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes saw it subjected to multiple rounds of increasingly strict sanctions by the UN Security Council, the US, EU, South Korea and others. Trump last year threatened the North with "fire and fury". But since the Winter Olympics in the South, Pyongyang and Washington have agreed to the unprecedented Singapore meeting. Kim has also twice visited China after not paying his respects to President Xi Jinping in the six years since he inherited power from his father, and met the South's President Moon Jae-in in the Demilitarized Zone that divides their countries. North Korea's sudden change in attitude was probably driven by the mounting international sanctions imposed over its weapons programmes that had begun to take a toll on the livelihoods of ordinary citizens, Thae said. As of last year the UN Security Council sanctions included measures on sectors such as coal, fish, textiles and overseas workers. "North Korea did not foresee the destructive power of these sanctions," Thae told the interview. "These sanctions are threatening the livelihoods of millions of North Koreans at the root." But Pyongyang had a long history of making overtures that ultimately came to nothing, he warned. "North Korea's diplomacy has always been a repeat of hardline and appeasement," Thae said. "It is North Korea's diplomatic tactic to push the situatio

North Korea will never fully give up nuclear weapons: Top defector

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/exit-poll-fractured-mandate-hung-assembly-likely-in-karnataka-136419">Exit poll: Hung assembly likely in Karnataka, BJP has </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/exit-poll-fractured-mandate-hung-assembly-likely-in-karnataka-136419">slight</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/exit-poll-fractured-mandate-hung-assembly-likely-in-karnataka-136419"> edge</a>

The maha exit poll conducted by Zee News shortly after the polling ended on Saturday predicted a hung assembly in Karnataka with no political party winning a clear majority in the 225-member assembly. According to the Zee Maha exit poll, BJP is likely to win 102 seats, Congress 92, JD-S 26 and others, including independents, 2.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/one-dead-4-injured-after-knife-attack-in-paris-islamic-state-claims-responsibility-136433">One dead, 4 injured after </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/one-dead-4-injured-after-knife-attack-in-paris-islamic-state-claims-responsibility-136433">knife</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/one-dead-4-injured-after-knife-attack-in-paris-islamic-state-claims-responsibility-136433"> attack in Paris. Islamic State claims responsibility</a>

A knifeman shouting "Allahu akbar" was shot dead by police in central Paris late Saturday after he killed one person and injured four, prompting a terror probe.

The attack took place near the city's main opera house in an area full of bars, restaurants and theatres which were brimming on a weekend night.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-at-least-two-dead-13-injured-after-bomb-attacks-on-churches-136435">Indonesia: At least two dead, 13 injured after bomb attacks on churches</a>

At least two people have been killed and 13 injured, AFP reported Sunday, in bomb attacks on churches in Indonesia.&nbsp;

The attacks took place in Surabaya, the country's second-biggest city.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-stops-us-diplomat-involved-in-accident-from-leaving-country-136437">Pakistan stops US diplomat involved in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-stops-us-diplomat-involved-in-accident-from-leaving-country-136437">accident</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-stops-us-diplomat-involved-in-accident-from-leaving-country-136437"> from leaving </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-stops-us-diplomat-involved-in-accident-from-leaving-country-136437">country</a>

A US diplomat involved in a fatal road accident in Pakistan was not allowed to leave the country Saturday, officials said, a day after Islamabad imposed "reciprocal" restrictions on the movement of American envoys after Washington took similar measures.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/very-smart-and-gracious-gesture-trump-thanks-north-korea-for-promising-to-destroy-nuclear-test-site-136434">'Gracious gesture!' Trump thanks North Korea for promising to destroy nuclear test site</a>

US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to destroy its nuclear test site.&nbsp;

North Korean state media had reported earlier that the country was "taking technical measures" to dismantle its test site.&nbsp;

Read the five big stories of the day here

Exit poll: Hung assembly likely in Karnataka, BJP has slight edge The maha exit poll conducted by Zee News shortly after the polling ended on Saturday predicted a hung assembly in Karnataka with no political party winning a clear majority in the 225-member assembly. According to the Zee Maha exit poll, BJP is likely to win 102 seats, Congress 92, JD-S 26 and others, including independents, 2. One dead, 4 injured after knife attack in Paris. Islamic State claims responsibility A knifeman shouting "Allahu akbar" was shot dead by police in central Paris late Saturday after he killed one person and injured four, prompting a terror probe. The attack took place near the city's main opera house in an area full of bars, restaurants and theatres which were brimming on a weekend night. Indonesia: At least two dead, 13 injured after bomb attacks on churches At least two people have been killed and 13 injured, AFP reported Sunday, in bomb attacks on churches in Indonesia. The attacks took place in Surabaya, the country's second-biggest city. Pakistan stops US diplomat involved in accident from leaving country A US diplomat involved in a fatal road accident in Pakistan was not allowed to leave the country Saturday, officials said, a day after Islamabad imposed "reciprocal" restrictions on the movement of American envoys after Washington took similar measures. 'Gracious gesture!' Trump thanks North Korea for promising to destroy nuclear test site US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to destroy its nuclear test site. North Korean state media had reported earlier that the country was "taking technical measures" to dismantle its test site.

The head of the UN's World Food Programme said today it appeared North Korea was "turning a new page in history", following a four-day visit to the country.

David Beasley said he had enjoyed unprecedented access to the secretive state, spending two days in the capital Pyongyang and two in the countryside, accompanied by government minders.

He said there was undoubtedly a hunger problem in North Korea but it was not on the scale of the 1990s famine.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/very-smart-and-gracious-gesture-trump-thanks-north-korea-for-promising-to-destroy-nuclear-test-site-136434">Trump thanks North Korea for promising to destroy nuclear test site</a>

North Korea's economy has been devastated by its own mismanagement and crippling international sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme. However, its relations with the rest of the world are rapidly changing, with leader Kim Jong Un on a charm offensive.

Beasley told BBC radio that North Korea's leaders had a "sense of optimism".

Dialogue brokered by Seoul has seen US-North Korea relations go from trading personal insults and threats of war last year to a summit between Kim and President Donald Trump due in Singapore on June 12.

"There is a sense of turning a new page in history," said Bealsey, 61, the former governor of South Carolina.

He described the farming he witnessed outside the capital, in a country where only around a fifth of the land is arable.

"One of the most powerful things that I saw was out in the countryside -- it's spring, they're planting -- there's not mechanisation. You've got oxen pulling ploughs, men and women in the fields," said Beasley.

"It's very structured, very organised, every foot and inch of dirt is being toiled with rakes and hoes and shovels, and they're literally planting crops up to the edge of the road, down embankments, using every available space because it is a land that's mostly mountainous." North Korea has periodically been hit by famine, and hundreds of thousands of people died -- estimates range into the millions -- in the mid-1990s.

Beasley said: "I didn't see starvation like you had in the famine back in the 1990s, that's the good news. But is there a hunger issue, is there under-nutrition? There's no question about it." A United Nations-led report in March said chronic food shortages and malnutrition were widespread.

Around 41 percent -- 10.5 million people -- were undernourished, it said Around 18 million North Koreans, or 70 percent of the population including 1.3 million children aged under five, depend on the government-run Public Distribution System for rations of cereal and potatoes.

But most people do not consume a sufficiently diverse diet for healthy development, the report said. (AFP)&nbsp

The comment came from the chief of the UN's World Food Programme after a four-day visit to the country

The head of the UN's World Food Programme said today it appeared North Korea was "turning a new page in history", following a four-day visit to the country. David Beasley said he had enjoyed unprecedented access to the secretive state, spending two days in the capital Pyongyang and two in the countryside, accompanied by government minders. He said there was undoubtedly a hunger problem in North Korea but it was not on the scale of the 1990s famine. Also read: Trump thanks North Korea for promising to destroy nuclear test site North Korea's economy has been devastated by its own mismanagement and crippling international sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme. However, its relations with the rest of the world are rapidly changing, with leader Kim Jong Un on a charm offensive. Beasley told BBC radio that North Korea's leaders had a "sense of optimism". Dialogue brokered by Seoul has seen US-North Korea relations go from trading personal insults and threats of war last year to a summit between Kim and President Donald Trump due in Singapore on June 12. "There is a sense of turning a new page in history," said Bealsey, 61, the former governor of South Carolina. He described the farming he witnessed outside the capital, in a country where only around a fifth of the land is arable. "One of the most powerful things that I saw was out in the countryside -- it's spring, they're planting -- there's not mechanisation. You've got oxen pulling ploughs, men and women in the fields," said Beasley. "It's very structured, very organised, every foot and inch of dirt is being toiled with rakes and hoes and shovels, and they're literally planting crops up to the edge of the road, down embankments, using every available space because it is a land that's mostly mountainous." North Korea has periodically been hit by famine, and hundreds of thousands of people died -- estimates range into the millions -- in the mid-1990s. Beasley said: "I didn't see starvation like you had in the famine back in the 1990s, that's the good news. But is there a hunger issue, is there under-nutrition? There's no question about it." A United Nations-led report in March said chronic food shortages and malnutrition were widespread. Around 41 percent -- 10.5 million people -- were undernourished, it said Around 18 million North Koreans, or 70 percent of the population including 1.3 million children aged under five, depend on the government-run Public Distribution System for rations of cereal and potatoes. But most people do not consume a sufficiently diverse diet for healthy development, the report said. (AFP)

North Korea 'turning a new page'

US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site.&nbsp;

North Korean state media had reported earlier that the country was "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-taking-measures-to-dismantle-nuclear-site-136388">taking technical measures</a>" to dismantle its test site.&nbsp;

"North Korea has announced that they will dismantle Nuclear Test Site this month, ahead of the big Summit Meeting on June 12th," Trump tweeted.

"Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture!"&nbsp;

Trump will be meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12.

The meeting is unprecedented. No American President has ever met with a North Korean leader while in office.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
North Korea has announced that they will dismantle Nuclear Test Site this month, ahead of the big Summit Meeting on June 12th. Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/995410516129538048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

North Korean state media had reported earlier that the country was 'taking technical measures' to dismantle its test site

US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site. North Korean state media had reported earlier that the country was "taking technical measures" to dismantle its test site. "North Korea has announced that they will dismantle Nuclear Test Site this month, ahead of the big Summit Meeting on June 12th," Trump tweeted. "Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture!" Trump will be meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12. The meeting is unprecedented. No American President has ever met with a North Korean leader while in office. North Korea has announced that they will dismantle Nuclear Test Site this month, ahead of the big Summit Meeting on June 12th. Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2018 ×

'Gracious gesture!' Trump thanks North Korea for promising to dismantle nuclear test site

North Korea is "taking technical measures" to dismantle its nuclear test site, state media said Saturday in the latest dramatic step ahead of a historic summit between leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump next month.

"A ceremony for dismantling the nuclear test ground is now scheduled between May 23 and 25, depending on weather condition," the official KCNA news agency said, citing a foreign ministry press release.

The test tunnels would be blown up, blocking their entries, the statement said.

All observation facilities and research institutes would be removed along with guards and researchers, it said, detailing the process of closing the site.

Reporters from China, Russia, the United States, Britain and South Korea would be allowed to "conduct on-the-spot coverage in order to show in a transparent manner the dismantlement of the northern nuclear test ground," the foreign ministry statement said.

The limit on foreign journalists was due to the "small space of the test ground" which it said was "located in the uninhabited deep mountain area".

In a dramatic turnaround after Kim and Trump had traded threats of war and personal insults, the young North Korean leader vowed to pursue denuclearisation at a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in last month.

He is now set for the first ever face-to-face meeting between a sitting American president and a North Korean leader, scheduled for June 12 in Singapore.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Friday promised the US would work to rebuild North Korea's sanctions-crippled economy if it agreed to surrender its nuclear arsenal.

"The DPRK will, also in the future, promote close contacts and dialogue with the neighbouring countries and the international society so as to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and over the globe," the North Korean foreign ministry statement carried by KCNA said Saturday.

 
&nbsp;

North Korea is 'taking technical measures' to dismantle its nuclear test site and will invite foreign media to observe a ceremony to kick off the process, state news agency KCNA said Saturday

North Korea is "taking technical measures" to dismantle its nuclear test site, state media said Saturday in the latest dramatic step ahead of a historic summit between leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump next month. "A ceremony for dismantling the nuclear test ground is now scheduled between May 23 and 25, depending on weather condition," the official KCNA news agency said, citing a foreign ministry press release. The test tunnels would be blown up, blocking their entries, the statement said. All observation facilities and research institutes would be removed along with guards and researchers, it said, detailing the process of closing the site. Reporters from China, Russia, the United States, Britain and South Korea would be allowed to "conduct on-the-spot coverage in order to show in a transparent manner the dismantlement of the northern nuclear test ground," the foreign ministry statement said. The limit on foreign journalists was due to the "small space of the test ground" which it said was "located in the uninhabited deep mountain area". In a dramatic turnaround after Kim and Trump had traded threats of war and personal insults, the young North Korean leader vowed to pursue denuclearisation at a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in last month. He is now set for the first ever face-to-face meeting between a sitting American president and a North Korean leader, scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Friday promised the US would work to rebuild North Korea's sanctions-crippled economy if it agreed to surrender its nuclear arsenal. "The DPRK will, also in the future, promote close contacts and dialogue with the neighbouring countries and the international society so as to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and over the globe," the North Korean foreign ministry statement carried by KCNA said Saturday.

North Korea 'taking measures' to dismantle nuclear site

The United States promised Friday that it would work to rebuild North Korea's sanctions-crippled economy if Kim Jong Un's regime agrees to surrender its nuclear arsenal.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's vow came as senior US officials expressed growing optimism ahead of the landmark June 12 summit between Kim and President Donald Trump.

Pompeo, who held talks Pyongyang's young leader over the weekend, even said "we have a pretty good understanding between our two countries about what the shared objectives are."

He was speaking after talks with his South Korean opposite number Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to coordinate Washington and Seoul's preparations for the historic encounter.

Many observers have warned Kim's regime will try to drive a wedge between the allies as the summit approaches, playing Seoul's fear of war against Washington's nuclear concerns.

But both Kang and Pompeo insisted that they agreed on the need for the "total, permanent and verifiable" denuclearization of the divided peninsula.

Trump and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in are due to meet on May 22 at the White House for the next round of planning.

Pompeo said the United States would remain on board to help develop the North's economy, which has been devastated by its own mismanagement and crippling international sanctions.

"If North Korea takes bold action to quickly denuclearize, the United States is prepared to work with North Korea to achieve prosperity on par with our South Korean friends," he said.

Since an ad hoc 1953 armistice put an end to active hostilities between the North and the South, South Korea has emerged from devastation to become a leading world economy.

'Good conversations'

But the North has remained one of the world's most isolated states and its outdated economy has been further battered by a UN-backed "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions.

Over the past year Kim and Trump have added a personal touch to a half-century of international enmity, swapping insults and both openly threatening devastating direct military action.

Kim's regime also carried out missile tests that convinced US intelligence officials, including Pompeo in his former role as CIA chief, that North Korea could threaten US cities.

But South Korea's President Moon reached out to the North, reopening direct talks, and when Kim invited Trump to a summit to discuss disarmament the mood changed.

Pompeo flew to Pyongyang for talks and to recover three released American detainees, and now a summit date has been set for June 12 in Singapore.

"We had good conversations, conversations that involve deep complex problems, challenges, strategic decisions that chairman Kim has before him," Pompeo said.

The pair, he said, talked "about how it is he wishes to proceed and if he's prepared, in exchange for the assurances that we're ready to provide him, if he is prepared to fully denuclearize.

"We'll require a robust verification program, one that we would undertake with partners around the world which would achieve that outcome," he warned.

But he added: "I'm confident that we have a shared understanding of the outcome that the leaders want, certainly President Trump and chairman Kim, but I think President Moon as well."

South Korea's Kang shared in Pompeo's optimism and was at pains to insist that there is no daylight between how Washington and Seoul are approaching the talks.

"We agreed that the summit would be an historic opportunity for resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, and securing enduring peace on the Korean peninsula," she said.

"We reaffirmed that our goal is to achieve the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula," she added, promising "air-tight" coordination.&nbsp

Carrot and stick

Pompeo's promise of an economic carrot to match the stick of "maximum pressure" may reassure observers who are concerned that Seoul and Washington's objectives are not exactly aligned. &nbsp

"There's a danger here of the peace track moving more quickly than the denuclearization track," warned Abraham Denmark, an Asia expert and former senior US defense official.

"If that happens, it could give North Korea an opportunity to try to drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington," said Denmark, now at the Wilson Center think tank in the US capital.

Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice offered three recommendations to Trump: allow experts to make the deal, don't negotiate away the "equities" of others including Japan and South Korea, and "don't be anxious to remove American troops from the equation."

"If we can hold to those three principles, this might work," Rice said at Stanford's Hoover Institution.

So far, the North Korean regime has made vague pledges to "denuclearize" but has not spelled out what that means, when it would happen or how it would be implemented.

In North Korea's bombastic rhetoric, "denuclearization" has, for years, been a byword for US troop withdrawals from South Korea -- an idea that Kang appeared to reject.

After her talks with Pompeo, she took pains to "emphasize again that the US military presence in Korea is a matter for the ROK-US alliance first and foremost."

Hardliners in the North are believed to see a nuclear weapon as a guarantee against outside efforts to topple the regime, but Trump insists he will not tolerate their growing arsenal.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's vow came as senior US officials expressed growing optimism ahead of the landmark June 12 summit between Kim and President Donald Trump

The United States promised Friday that it would work to rebuild North Korea's sanctions-crippled economy if Kim Jong Un's regime agrees to surrender its nuclear arsenal. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's vow came as senior US officials expressed growing optimism ahead of the landmark June 12 summit between Kim and President Donald Trump. Pompeo, who held talks Pyongyang's young leader over the weekend, even said "we have a pretty good understanding between our two countries about what the shared objectives are." He was speaking after talks with his South Korean opposite number Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to coordinate Washington and Seoul's preparations for the historic encounter. Many observers have warned Kim's regime will try to drive a wedge between the allies as the summit approaches, playing Seoul's fear of war against Washington's nuclear concerns. But both Kang and Pompeo insisted that they agreed on the need for the "total, permanent and verifiable" denuclearization of the divided peninsula. Trump and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in are due to meet on May 22 at the White House for the next round of planning. Pompeo said the United States would remain on board to help develop the North's economy, which has been devastated by its own mismanagement and crippling international sanctions. "If North Korea takes bold action to quickly denuclearize, the United States is prepared to work with North Korea to achieve prosperity on par with our South Korean friends," he said. Since an ad hoc 1953 armistice put an end to active hostilities between the North and the South, South Korea has emerged from devastation to become a leading world economy. 'Good conversations' But the North has remained one of the world's most isolated states and its outdated economy has been further battered by a UN-backed "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions. Over the past year Kim and Trump have added a personal touch to a half-century of international enmity, swapping insults and both openly threatening devastating direct military action. Kim's regime also carried out missile tests that convinced US intelligence officials, including Pompeo in his former role as CIA chief, that North Korea could threaten US cities. But South Korea's President Moon reached out to the North, reopening direct talks, and when Kim invited Trump to a summit to discuss disarmament the mood changed. Pompeo flew to Pyongyang for talks and to recover three released American detainees, and now a summit date has been set for June 12 in Singapore. "We had good conversations, conversations that involve deep complex problems, challenges, strategic decisions that chairman Kim has before him," Pompeo said. The pair, he said, talked "about how it is he wishes to proceed and if he's prepared, in exchange for the assurances that we're ready to provide him, if he is prepared to fully denuclearize. "We'll require a robust verification program, one that we would undertake with partners around the world which would achieve that outcome," he warned. But he added: "I'm confident that we have a shared understanding of the outcome that the leaders want, certainly President Trump and chairman Kim, but I think President Moon as well." South Korea's Kang shared in Pompeo's optimism and was at pains to insist that there is no daylight between how Washington and Seoul are approaching the talks. "We agreed that the summit would be an historic opportunity for resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, and securing enduring peace on the Korean peninsula," she said. "We reaffirmed that our goal is to achieve the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula," she added, promising "air-tight" coordination. Carrot and stick Pompeo's promise of an economic carrot to match the stick of "maximum pressure" may reassure observers who are concerned that Seoul and Washington's objectives are not exactly aligned. "There's a danger here of the peace track moving more quickly than the denuclearization track," warned Abraham Denmark, an Asia expert and former senior US defense official. "If that happens, it could give North Korea an opportunity to try to drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington," said Denmark, now at the Wilson Center think tank in the US capital. Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice offered three recommendations to Trump: allow experts to make the deal, don't negotiate away the "equities" of others including Japan and South Korea, and "don't be anxious to remove American troops from the equation." "If we can hold to those three principles, this might work," Rice said at Stanford's Hoover Institution. So far, the North Korean regime has made vague pledges to "denuclearize" but has not spelled out what that means, when it would happen or how it would be implemented. In North Korea's bombastic rhetoric, "denuclearization" has, for years, been a byword for US troop withdrawals from South Korea -- an idea that Kang appeared to reject. After her talks with Pompeo, she took pains to "emphasize again that the US military presence in Korea is a matter for the ROK-US alliance first and foremost." Hardliners in the North are believed to see a nuclear weapon as a guarantee against outside efforts to topple the regime, but Trump insists he will not tolerate their growing arsenal.

US vows to make North Korea rich if it gives up nukes

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said that North Korea can look forward to "a future brimming with peace and prosperity" if it agrees to quickly give up its nuclear weapons.&nbsp

"If North Korea takes bold action to quickly denuclearize, the United States is prepared to work with North Korea to achieve prosperity on the par with our South Korean friends," Pompeo told a news conference after talks with his South Korean counterpart in Washington.

"If Chairman Kim chooses the right path, there is a future brimming with peace and prosperity for the North Korean people," he said, adding that the United States had a track record of support for the Korean people that was "second to none."&nbsp

Pompeo also said that the process of denuclearisation will take "robust verification," while his South Korean counterpart insisted sanctions against North Korea would not be lifted before a June 12 leaders' summit.

"We are very clear that sanctions remain in place until and unless we see visible, meaningful action taken by North Korea on the denuclearization track," South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told a joint news conference with Pompeo before the June meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.

Pompeo, who returned from Pyongyang this week with three Americans who had been held prisoner by North Korea, said the release of men had helped set conditions for a successful meeting between Trump and Kim in Singapore on June 12.

North Korea`s development of nuclear weapons and missiles capable of reaching the United States brought exchanges of bellicose rhetoric between Trump and Kim last year that raised fears of a new war on the Korean peninsula.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had high hopes of "doing something very meaningful" to curtail North Korea's nuclear ambitions at a summit in Singapore next month, after Pyongyang smoothed the way for talks by freeing three American prisoners.

 
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Pompeo also said that the process of denuclearisation will take 'robust verification,' while his South Korean counterpart insisted sanctions against North Korea would not be lifted before a June 12 leaders' summit

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said that North Korea can look forward to "a future brimming with peace and prosperity" if it agrees to quickly give up its nuclear weapons. "If North Korea takes bold action to quickly denuclearize, the United States is prepared to work with North Korea to achieve prosperity on the par with our South Korean friends," Pompeo told a news conference after talks with his South Korean counterpart in Washington. "If Chairman Kim chooses the right path, there is a future brimming with peace and prosperity for the North Korean people," he said, adding that the United States had a track record of support for the Korean people that was "second to none." Pompeo also said that the process of denuclearisation will take "robust verification," while his South Korean counterpart insisted sanctions against North Korea would not be lifted before a June 12 leaders' summit. "We are very clear that sanctions remain in place until and unless we see visible, meaningful action taken by North Korea on the denuclearization track," South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told a joint news conference with Pompeo before the June meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore. Pompeo, who returned from Pyongyang this week with three Americans who had been held prisoner by North Korea, said the release of men had helped set conditions for a successful meeting between Trump and Kim in Singapore on June 12. North Korea`s development of nuclear weapons and missiles capable of reaching the United States brought exchanges of bellicose rhetoric between Trump and Kim last year that raised fears of a new war on the Korean peninsula. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had high hopes of "doing something very meaningful" to curtail North Korea's nuclear ambitions at a summit in Singapore next month, after Pyongyang smoothed the way for talks by freeing three American prisoners.

Pompeo promises North Korea future 'brimming with prosperity' if it denuclearises

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