Removing nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula isn't just complicated politically - it's also extremely complex, technically. CGTN's Jim Spellman explains what would need to happen to move such an arsenal.

Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula may sound pretty straightforward.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "It means they get rid of their nukes. Very simple."

But in reality, it is much more complicated - both technically and politically.

Experts say there are three basic steps to denuclearization: First: production of new weapons and fissile material, like enriched uranium and plutonium, must stop. Next, nuclear facilities must be closed and rendered inoperable and finally, the existing weapons stockpiles must be safely dismantled.

Steps to Denuclearization -Freeze production and testing of weapons -Close weapons production facilities -Safely dismantle existing weapons There are signs the DPRK has already begun the first two steps: halting testing.

"The DPRK will stop nuclear tests."

There is partially destroying a test site.

"Today's explosion proved very successful."

But satellite surveillance suggests the DPRK may still be enriching uranium and have undisclosed facilities and weapons hidden throughout the country. Dismantling the existing arsenal would likely mean transporting them to secure locations in a country with advanced nuclear expertise like Russia or the United States. A robust verification system will be key to any agreement.

YUKIYA AMANO DIRECTOR GENERAL, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY "The IAEA is the only international organization that has the experience and capability to monitor and verify the nuclear-related activities."

Beyond the technical aspects, there are considerable political challenges to denuclearization. In exchange for giving up its weapons, the DPRK will receive concessions from the U.S. -- including sanctions relief and security assurances.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "This would be with Kim Jong Un, something that he'd be there, he'd be in his country, he'd be running this country. His country would be very rich."  

Timing will be key to any denuclearization effort.

JENNY TOWN STIMSON CENTER "When the U.S. talks about denuclearization, they want it to be a short easy process. For the North Korean side, when they talk about denuclearization, it's not just them coming and bringing their nukes and putting them on the table and saying what can we get for this, but it an action for action process. It's one where they need to see normalized relations over time. The question is whether they can agree to a mutual timing factor as to can they come to agreement on timing where they can actually move forward."

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON "A denuclearization effort of this scale has never been attempted before. In the early 1990s, South Africa dismantled its arsenal of six nuclear weapons and one partially completed weapon- But the DPRK is thought to have between 30 and 60 completed weapons. Even if all sides agree to do this as quickly as possible, the effort will likely take years. Jim Spellman, CGTN, Washington."