How many hours does it take for the press corps to go to the North Korean nuclear test site?

The press group had to travel for more than 10 hours to the North Korean nuclear test site, and it was not forbidden to bring mobile phones.

On May 24, according to South Korea's "****", it is expected that the international press corps will arrive at the Fengxili nuclear test site on the afternoon of the 24th. If the weather conditions are good, activities at the abandoned nuclear test site will officially begin when the press corps arrives.

According to the report, the South Korean press corps flew to Wonsan by Air Force transport plane (CVN235) from Seongnam Seoul Airport at around 12:30 noon (Korea time) on the 23rd, and arrived at Wonsan Gema Airport two hours later.

According to the South Korean Ministry of Unification, the South Korean press group departed from Seoul Seongnam Airport at 11:30 Beijing time on the 23rd and headed for Wonsan, North Korea.

North Korean customs officials inspected the luggage of the press corps, took away the reporters' satellites**, Bluetooth mice, radiation measurement equipment, etc., and issued "custody certificates" to the reporters, saying that they would "take these items when they return". North Korea does not prohibit journalists from carrying mobile phones.

At around 4:50 p.m. on the 23rd, the South Korean press corps arrived at the press site and press center at the Gema Hotel. The international press corps is allowed to use the internet and ** and other equipment. They departed from the hotel at around 6 p.m. on the same day and took a special train from near Wonsan Station to Zaeduk Station (416 kilometers away) near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site at around 7 p.m.

On May 24, Reuters released a set of digital Earth satellite images taken on May 23 of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in North Korea.

It is reported that due to the old railway, the train can only run at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour, and it takes 12 to 14 hours to reach Zaide Station. Zaideoku Station is about 21 kilometers away from the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, and reporters had to drive for about four hours by car, and then walk for about two hours to get to the test site.

Therefore, it is expected that the journalists will arrive at the nuclear test site about the afternoon of the 24th. If the weather conditions are good, activities at the abandoned nuclear test site will officially begin when the press corps arrives.

The DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 12th of this month that it is expected to hold a ceremony to abandon the nuclear test site by the 25th of this month, depending on weather conditions.

According to KCNA, on May 12, the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a communiqué. According to the communiqué, in accordance with the resolution of the Third Plenary Session of the 7th Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Nuclear Research Institute and other relevant institutions are taking operational measures to abolish the nuclear test site in northern Korea in order to transparently guarantee the cessation of nuclear tests. The decommissioning ceremony of the nuclear test site is scheduled to take place between 23 and 25 May, depending on weather conditions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK issued a communiqué on the 12th. The full text of the communiqué is as follows:

In accordance with the resolution of the Third Plenary Session of the 7th Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Nuclear Research Institute and other relevant institutions are taking operational measures to abolish the nuclear test site in northern Korea in order to transparently guarantee the cessation of nuclear testing.

The decommissioning ceremony of the nuclear test site is scheduled to take place between 23 and 25 May, depending on weather conditions.

The decommissioning of the nuclear test site will be carried out in the form of the collapse of all the tunnels of the nuclear test site by blasting, the complete closure of the entrance, and the demolition of all observation equipment, research institutes, and garrison buildings on the ground.

The nuclear test site will be decommissioned at the same time as the security personnel and researchers will be withdrawn, and the perimeter of the nuclear test site will be completely closed.

To this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK authorized the issuance of the following decision:

Clause. 1. In order to ensure the transparency of the abandonment of the nuclear test in northern China held in accordance with the resolution of the Third Draft of the Seventh Party Central Committee, we are willing to allow domestic and international press corps to cover the scene.

In view of the narrowness of the nuclear test site, the international press corps was limited to journalists from China, Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.

Clause. 2. In order to ensure the access and coverage of members of the international press corps, the following technical measures will be taken.

1) Provide special planes for all members of the international press corps to use the Beijing-Yuansan route, and take necessary measures such as opening up the airspace.

2) Specially prepared dormitories and press centers for members of the international press corps in Wonsan.

3) Organizing a special train for members of the international press corps from Wonsan to the Northern Nuclear Test Site.

4) In view of the fact that the nuclear test site is located in a deep ravine that is inaccessible to the people, arrange for the members of the international press corps to stay in a special train and provide relevant conveniences.

5) Guarantee the necessary conditions and assist members of the international press corps to cover and record the abandonment of the nuclear test site and publish press releases in the press center.

The DPRK will, as always, maintain close ties with neighboring countries and the international community and actively engage in dialogue in order to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the world.

It seems that North Korea has made a gesture for a meeting between the DPRK and the United States.