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North Korea release dramatic images of huge explosion during nuclear test site demolition

North Korea has released dramatic images of what it says was the demolition of a nuclear test site destroyed in a huge explosion.

The explosions at the test site in the mountains deep in the north of country were to be a gesture to help build confidence ahead of a peace summit with the US next month.

But Donald Trump yesterday cancelled the highly-anticipated talks, blaming Kim Jong-un’s recent display of "tremendous anger and open hostility”.

The blasts were centred on three tunnels at the underground site and a number of buildings in the surrounding area, North Korea said.

A woman stands near a TV screen showing an image of the dismantling of North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site during a news program in Tokyo (AP)
A woman stands near a TV screen showing an image of the dismantling of North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site during a news program in Tokyo (AP)

In a letter to Kim, Mr Trump announced he would not go ahead with the high-stakes meeting set for June 12 in Singapore following what the White House called a 'trail of broken promises' by the North.

The rogue regime’s leader will “give the US time and opportunities” to reconsider sitting down for the talks that were abruptly scrapped by Mr Trump, the country said in statement.

Its vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said the North’s "objective and resolve to do our best for the sake of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and all humankind remain unchanged".

He called Mr Trump’s decision “unexpected" and "very regrettable," and said the cancellation of the talks shows "how grave the status of historically deep-rooted hostile North Korea-US relations is and how urgently a summit should be realised to improve ties".