S. Korea's Moon lauds North's test halt as 'significant'
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on 23 April praised the declaration of a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests by the North's leader Kim Jong Un, days before a summit between the two men.
Pyongyang's move was ‘a significant decision towards total denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula’, Moon said in a meeting with aides.
Kim declared that Pyongyang had no further need for nuclear tests or intercontinental ballistic missile launches, and no further use for its atomic test site, the North announced in the week that ended on 20 April.
The statement was immediately welcomed by US President Donald Trump, who is expected to hold a summit of his own with Kim soon.
But analysts warned that Pyongyang had made no commitment to give up its nuclear arsenal.
Moon said on 23 April that the North's move was ‘a green light that improves the prospect of success of the inter-Korea and North-US summits’.
‘If the North takes a step towards denuclearisation, starting from nuclear moratorium, it could guarantee a bright future,’ he added.
The latest step, he said, ‘raises hopes that the pace will accelerate’.
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
![Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft]()
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
![OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”]()
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.
-
![MBDA CEO emphasises “moment of truth” for Europe as company sees €37 billion backlog]()
MBDA CEO emphasises “moment of truth” for Europe as company sees €37 billion backlog
MBDA CEO Éric Béranger stressed the company’s role supporting European countries with complex weapon systems and focused on boosting production against the backdrop of “shifting” geopolitical alliances.
