N Korea suspending nuke tests is big progress: Trump

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday welcomed the move by North Korea to suspend its nuclear and missile tests and shut down a nuclear test site, calling it a 'big progress' for the country and the world.

"North Korea has agreed to suspend all nuclear tests and close up a major test site. This is very good news for North Korea and the world - big progress! Look forward to our summit," the United States President wrote on Twitter.

Earlier in the day, ahead of a planned meeting with Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that the country would suspend its nuclear and missile tests and shut down a nuclear test site.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported that North Korea, amidst preparing for discussions with the United States and South Korea, would shut down its nuclear test site in the northern area.

"From April 21, North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles," Yonhap quoted the Korean Central News Agency as saying.

"The North will shut down a nuclear test site in the country's northern side to guarantee transparency in suspending nuclear tests," the statement from North Korea added.

The decision was made in a meeting of the ruling Worker's Party of Korea's (WPK) full Central Committee that had convened to discuss a "new stage" of policies.

Kim Jong-un is set to hold a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in next Friday.

A meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un will possibly happen in May or early June, this year.