Donald Trump welcomes North Korea's decision to halt nuclear and missile tests

"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," Trump said he is looking forward to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The meeting is likely to take place later.

Relationship between US and North Korea was bitter earlier this year with both Kim and Trump exchanging barbs after the Asian nation carried out several missile tests in 2017.

2017 witnessed US President Donald Trump slamming North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as the Asian nation continued to conduct several of its missile tests, teasing world peace and tranquillity and often threatening to trigger a war.

Situation became far tensed when North Korea tested an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) that the nation said was capable of striking US mainland.

The United Nations Security Council had imposed strong new sanctions against the Asian nation after its Nov 29 launch of a  nuclear-capable weapon.

In a major development, North Korea has announced that it will suspend  nuclear and missile tests in the country, media reports said.

The country has also decided to shut down a nuclear test site, reports said.

The announcement was made by  North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

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

"The North will shut down a nuclear test site in the country's northern side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear test," it added.

Meanwhile, in a significant development, South and Korean authorities are all set to set up a telephone line between the two leaders of the nation, media reports said.

The telephone line is installed to enable direct dialogue between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as per media reports.

"The hotline between the leaders will be connected tomorrow and working-level officials will conduct a trial call," presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom was quoted as saying by South Korean news agency Yonhap.

The two Koreas have agreed that President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will hold telephone talks before the summit, reported the news agency.

However, the date for the telephone talks between the two leaders has not been fixed so far.

The move has been made just days before South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are set to meet in person on Apr 27.