풍계리 핵실험장 '폭파'... 전문가들은 어떻게 볼까

There were contrasting takes on whether that display is a meaningful first step towards denuclearization.
Some experts fear it is designed with an ulterior motive, expressing concerns over inspections and verifications steps.
Oh Jung-hee sheds light on how some North Korean watchers view this development.
Showcasing the dismantling of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site to the world.
That was "the specific vow" North Korea made two weeks ago... to prove that it's sincere about stoping its nuclear tests and eventually denuclearizing.
It was a promise reminiscent of the North's destruction of a cooling tower at Yongbyon ten years ago.
But experts say, the North's move this time is different.

"The cooling tower itself was defunct. It was not functioning at all. But in this case, if they're going to dismantle portal number 3, which is still supposedly usable, then this is something much more than the cooling tower 10 years ago. So I should admit that they are really indeed taking a tangible step towards denuclearization."

The dismantling of the nuclear test site is seen as a meaningful and symbolic first step.
But what has to be made clear is whether Punggye-ri is really the secretive state's "one and only" test site.

"First of all, North Korea should make it clear that this is the only nuclear test site they currently have and even or none else perhaps under construction just to make it clear from the beginning that they're really starting to denuclearize."

In a deviation from its initial plan, the North did not invite international **experts to the site.
Pyongyang may not have wanted it to appear as if an actual inspection had started... when the real game -- the summit with Washington -- has not yet been played.
But experts point out... that blowing **up the tunnels before experts are given an opportunity to take a look... could be seen as the destruction of evidence.
Inspections of the materials remaining at the site before its destruction would helped experts learn how far North Korea has come in its nuclear weapons development.

"If I were to be there right now, then I'd be looking into port number 2, which is also called northern portal or north gate. That's been home to probably 5 consecutive nuclear tests so far. And also, they claim that the last was hydrogen bomb test, but that was only a claim. There's been no way of verifying or seeing if it indeed was the case."

With less than three weeks to go until the Pyongyang-Washington summit, pundits agree... that North Korea being *transparent is crucial:
The key to complete denuclearization is an inspection and verification process... that involves international experts... and access to the North's nuclear-related facilities and its scientists.

"[The] international community and those people in charge of verification need to have a full declaration from North Korea on whatever they've done, which kind of equipment they have, where