Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha says the two Koreas may discuss a way to confirm whether Pyongyang has really shut down its nuclear test site. 

Kang made the remark on Thursday in an interview with BBC, during her first visit to London since she took office, adding she expects they will be able to go over the issue during working-level negotiations.  

Although the North dismantled its Punggye-ri nuclear test site before invited journalists in May, Kang reminded there was no verification by outside experts. She said at a certain point  they should be able to confirm the complete shutdown of the North’s nuclear site.

The minister was also asked whether Seoul had advance discussions with Washington before the decision was made to suspend their joint military exercises. Kang reiterated it was a joint decision and an expression of goodwill, adding it also made to add momentum to ongoing dialogue. 

Noting that South Korea showed goodwill toward the North, Kang said expectations are the North will make progress on its denuclearization as well. 

Asked about plans for next year's joint military exercises with the U.S., the foreign minister said it depends on the situation.

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