N. Korea's Kim to visit Seoul, shut missile site

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will make a historic visit to Seoul "in the near future", he said Wednesday after a summit with the South's Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang.

Moon - who went North looking to bring fresh momentum to the stalled effort to eliminate Pyongyang's nuclear weapons said the trip could happen this year unless there were "special circumstances".

Moon added that the North had agreed to "permanently close" a missile engine testing site and launch facility in Tongchang-ri, "in the attendance of experts from relevant nations".

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is in Pyongyang for his third summit with Kim Jong Un this year

The North has carried out several missile test launches from Sohae in the area - its ballistic missile programme is banned under UN Security Council resolutions - but has also used many other locations to fire rockets, including Pyongyang airport.

Satellite pictures in August suggested workers were dismantling an engine test stand, in line with a promise already made to US President Donald Trump.

Moon also said the North could close its Yongbyon nuclear facility if Washington takes "corresponding measures" - significant caveat.

- AFP