North Korea has announced it will hold a ceremony in late May for the dismantling of its nuclear test site.

The country’s central news agency said tunnels will be collapsed with explosions, blocking entrances, while observation facilities, research buildings and security posts will be closed.

The event, which journalists across the world including from America and South Korea will be invited to cover, will take place between May 23 and May 25, depending on weather.

The news came as Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, said America was prepared to help the regime boom economically if it denuclearises.

The developments precede Donald Trump’s historic meeting with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, scheduled for June 12 in Singapore.

David Beasley, executive director of the UN’s World Food Programme, said on Saturday that he believed North Korean leaders wanted change after a four-day visit to the country.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We must capture this moment and work diligently to move the ball forward down the road toward progress and peace.