Korean Peninsula Denuclearization: DPRK invites int'l media to cover Punggye-ri site shutdown

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01:54

A group of international journalists arrived in the DPRK on Tuesday, to cover the dismantling of the country's nuclear Punggye-ri test site later this week. Many see this as a genuine step forward in achieving the denuclearisation of the peninsula. But will it proceed smoothly, amid the growing uncertainties between Pyongyang and Washington? Jiang Shaoyi tells us more.

The DPRK nuclear test site, up close for the very first time. Dozens of journalists, including those from China and the US, arrived in the country on Tuesday. They are invited to cover the shutdown of a main nuclear complex, which was used in all six previous tests dating back to 2006.

The dismantling will take place by the end of this Friday. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has lauded the decision.

LU KANG, SPOKESPERSON CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY "All parties concerned should value the current detente of the Korean Peninsula. We hope the two sides can continue to accumulate mutual trust and to improve relations in accordance with the spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration. In order to consolidate the detente, all parties concerned should show goodwill and avoid acts that trigger tensions."

The DPRK's decision has generally been seen as a welcome gesture by Kim Jong Un as it set a positive tone ahead of his summit with Donald Trump next month.

However, the first-ever summit between the two long-time foes is now in doubt, with both sides expressing reservations.

Pyongyang last week broke off a high-level meeting with South Korea, and threatened to cancel the summit, in protest over joint drills between Seoul and Washington.

And US Vice President Mike Pence said in an interview on Monday that if it looks like they won't yield results, there was "no question" that Trump would be prepared to walk away from the talks.

Reporter: So clearly the President still willing to walk away?"

MIKE PENCE US VICE PRESIDENT "Well, there's no question."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is in Washington for talks with Donald Trump. Many expect these talks will decide the fate of the meeting with Kim Jong Un. The world is, of course, hoping for the best. JIANG SHAOYI, CGTN.