May 24, 2018 - World

North Korea demolishes nuclear test site

North Korea demolishes nuclear test site

In handout image provided by the News1-Dong-A Ilbo, the Punggye-ri nuclear test site is being demolished in Punggye-ri, North Korea. Photo: News1-Dong-A Ilbo via Getty Images

North Korea demolished its nuclear test site using a series of explosions as international journalists looked on ahead of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's scheduled meeting with President Trump next month, AP reports.

But, but, but: International nuclear weapons inspectors weren't on hand for today's event, which leaves open the possibility that the move is reversible and doesn't signal a definite move toward North Korean denuclearization. It also shows North Korea signaling it is distancing itself from potential future verification, which is where conversations on denuclearization have fallen apart before.

Entrance to a tunnel at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. Photo: News1-Dong-A Ilbo via Getty Images
People watch a television news presentation showing the dismantling of North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site, at a railway station in Seoul. Photo: Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images
Photo: Handout/News1 via Getty Images
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