NEW satellite images appear to show North Korea has already begun dismantling its nuclear test site.

They show support buildings, ventilation infrastructure and rail lines among parts of the nuclear operation that have been removed.

13 This photo was taken on April 20 before the dismantling began Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

The photos were taken at leader Kim Jong-un's Punggye-ri nuclear test site, which is located in the northeast of the hermit state.

North Korean state media declared at the weekend the dismantlement of its site would take place between May 23 and 25.

Kim also recently pledged to discontinue nuclear tests ahead of next month's historic meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The official Korean Central New Agency said it would collapse all its tunnels with explosions, block entrances, and remove all observation facilities, research buildings and security posts.

13 This image, taken on May 7, shows the same site with some of the buildings removed Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

13 Another April photo has an engineering building, rail lines and mining carts visible Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

13 The same site, photographed on May 7, shows that infrastructure has now been removed Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

According to 38 North, a website run by former US diplomats, the latest aerial images were taken by commercial satellites on May 7.

It stated the photos show "the first definitive evidence that dismantlement of the test site was already well underway".

"Several key operational support buildings, located just outside the North, West and South Portals, have been razed.

"Some of the rails for the mining carts, which had led from the tunnels to their respective spoil piles, have apparently been removed.

13 Kim Jong-un inspects one of the country's nuclear facilities last year Credit: AFP

13 Another April photo shows scores of buildings at the main administrative area Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

13 A later image shows two of the smaller buildings have now been removed Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

"Additionally, some carts seem to have been tipped over and/or disassembled, and several small sheds/outbuildings around the site had been removed."

However, experts have warned that shutting down the test site is trickier than it might seem.

A botched tunnel collapse could spread radioactive debris, while buried nuclear material might be accessible enough to be dug up and reused in a weapon.

And even if all the testing tunnels are destroyed, North Korean engineers could simply dig a new one if they want to conduct another nuclear test.

13 Like in previous photos, mining carts and rail lines are visible in this photo taken last month Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

13 But a May 7 photo shows many of these have now been removed Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

Pyongyang has publicly invited international media to witness the destruction, but not technical inspectors, leaving disarmament experts and nuclear scientists wondering how effective the plan is and whether it will be safe.

Recent reports indicate that some areas of the Punggye-ri test site have become unstable after the latest and largest nuclear test in September.

More explosions would be unnecessarily risky, but there are steps North Korea could take to make the shutdown more credible and safe, said Suh Kune-yull, professor of nuclear energy systems engineering at Seoul National University.

Donald Trump reveals he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12

13 But now they appear to have been removed Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

13 Support buildings around the so-called South Portal are seen in this old photo Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

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Suh said: "Blowing up isn't the most ideal way. It might be less dramatic than an explosion, but filling the tunnel up with concrete, or sand or gravel would be best."

Jon Wolfsthal, the director of the Nuclear Crisis Group, said: "If it's done well, there is no risk of radiation being released. But the question is, are these tunnels being sealed in a way that they couldn't again be used?

"The only risk I see is that we will take the destruction of a couple of tunnels as a physical barrier to the resumption of testing in the future."

13 This old photo shows the ventilation systems used at the North Portal Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

13 But they appear to now have been removed, 38 North reported Credit: Photo DigitalGlobe/38 North

North Korea ​media announce plans ​to dismantle nuclear test site

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