By Kim Bo-eun
Tunneling at North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site eased in mid-March, according to 38 North, a U.S. news outlet focusing on North Korean affairs. The slowdown comes as the Koreas prepare for a summit in April.
“There has been a significant slowdown in tunneling and a reduced presence of related personnel at the site when compared to just two weeks earlier,” 38 North stated on its website on March 23, citing satellite imagery.
It said imagery from early March showed signs of continued tunneling at the West Portal, indicated by an increase in the size of the adjacent spoil pile as well as mining carts and large groups of personnel.
But imagery from March 18 showed no personnel or vehicles, the post said.
The findings come as preparations are being made for a meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. There is growing speculation that the slowdown in tunneling may signal Pyongyang's commitment to dialogue.
“However, whether this is just a temporary development or whether it will continue over time is unclear,” the post said.
On Saturday, Pyongyang agreed to a high-level inter-Korean meeting on March 29 to arrange details for the summit at the Panmunjeom truce village in April.
The meeting between Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and his North Korean counterpart Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, will decide the date and agenda for the talks.
It will be the first meeting of leaders of the North and South in 11 years.
The summit was arranged during the North Korean leader's meeting with South Korean envoys in Pyongyang on March 5.
At the meeting, Kim also expressed intention to abandon the North's nuclear program on condition of ensured security, and promised not to carry out any provocations during the dialogue period.
Kim is also slated to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in May, to discuss denuclearization.
Meanwhile, the Koreas are preparing for a troupe of South Korean musicians to perform in Pyongyang next month.
South Korean delegates who visited Pyongyang on Thursday to check logistics for the performances returned Saturday.
South Korean musicians will perform on April 1, and an inter-Korean performance will be staged on April 3.