Statement of Nuclear Weapons Institute of DPRK

The Nuclear Weapons Institute of the DPRK issued the following statement on May 24:

In accordance with the decision of the Third Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Nuclear Weapons Institute held a ceremony for completely dismantling the northern nuclear test ground of the DPRK on May 24 Juche 107(2018), in order to ensure the transparency of the discontinuance of nuclear tests.

The nuclear test ground was dismantled in such a way as to make all tunnels of the test ground collapse by explosion and completely close entries, and at the same time, explode some guard facilities and observation posts on the site.

It has been confirmed that there were neither leakage of radioactive materials nor any adverse impact on the surrounding ecological environment.

Complete closure of the area surrounding the nuclear test ground will come on the heels of successive removal of all ground observation facilities, research institutes and structures of guard units and withdrawal of staff concerned.

It has been confirmed by local and international journalists that two tunnels at the nuclear test ground were ready for use for carrying out very powerful underground nuclear tests at any time.

The dismantling of the nuclear test ground conducted with high-level transparency has clearly proved once again the proactive and peace-loving efforts of the DPRK government being made for ensuring peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and beyond.

The discontinuation of nuclear test is an important process for global nuclear disarmament, and the DPRK will join hands with the peace-loving peoples of the world to build a nuke-free peaceful world, a new independent world where the dreams and ideals of mankind are realized.