Pyongyang, May 24: In an unprecedented move, North Korea has dismantled its nuclear test site. According to a report published in AFP, media was invited to attend the ceremony on Thursday. It is also considered as a goodwill gesture ahead of a potential summit next month with the US.
Pyongyang announced its plan to "completely" dismantle the Punggye-ri facility in the country's northeast, inviting some foreign journalists to witness the destruction, reported AFP. According to a Sky News reporter, Tom Cheshire, there was a huge explosion and a lot of heat came out. Multiple explosions were heard throughout the day, beginning at 11 am (0300 GMT) until 4.17pm, reported Yonhap news agency, citing South Korean pool reporters.
North Korea had conducted the all six of its nuclear tests in Punggye-ri. These nuclear tests also included the testing of the most powerful Hydrogen-bomb in September last year. Experts believed that the nuclear testing site could be rebuilt if needed. Only journalists were allowed to attend the ceremony and not any independent observers from overseas. North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-Un is likely to meet the United States President Donald Trump in June in Singapore.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 24, 2018 05:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).