No visas for S. Korean journalists to cover nuclear site closure
Seoul, May 19: South Korean journalists may not be allowed to cover the closure of Pyongyang's nuclear test site, as the North Korean government has not accepted their visa applications, media reported on Saturday. This comes less than a week after they were reportedly invited.
The dismantlement "ceremony," which will involve blowing up the tunnels under the sprawling complex known as Punggye-ri, could take place as early as May 23, CNN reported quoting North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as announcing on Saturday.
Journalists from China, Russia, South Korea, the US, and the UK were to be invited to watch for transparency's sake.
Analysts said that only journalists are being allowed to watch but it's not known if non-proliferation experts, with the technical know-how to properly verify the site's closure, have been extended an invitation.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced in April that the country would shutter Punggye-ri, declaring that after six underground tests, the site had served its purpose, as the country has completed its quest to achieve nuclear weapons.
Analysts said satellite imagery shows that the North Koreans have already begun dismantling equipment.
Though Kim declared the site's closure was due to the nuclear quest rather than acceding to global pressure, many in the international community saw his commitment to, no longer test nuclear weapons underground, as a positive step in the recent thaw in relations between North Korea and its adversaries.
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Adityanath govt has completely failed to maintain Taj Mahal, alleges Akhilesh
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday raised questions over maintenance of the Taj Mahal in Agra and attacked the Yogi Adityanath government saying it should be a "living and active" example, not just a "monument".
Yadav, who shared a viral video in which a plant could be seen sprouting from the dome of the Taj Mahal, said the monument might develop cracks due to the roots.
In a post on X, he said, "The BJP government and its dormant departments have completely failed to maintain the Taj Mahal, the wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world."
Yadav went on to say, "There is a possibility of rusting of the metal of the urn on the main dome. Water is dripping from the main dome. There is news of plants growing in the dome. If the roots of trees like these grow, then the Taj Mahal may crack."
He also highlighted problems of monkey menace and water logging in the Taj Mahal complex.
"The Taj Mahal complex has become a sanctuary for monkeys. There is a problem of waterlogging in the Taj Mahal complex. The tourists are worried whether they should admire the Taj Mahal or deal with the problems," Yadav said, adding due to all these reasons, the country's image is tarnished at the global level.
Last week, the main dome of the Taj witnessed water seepage due to incessant rains but officials said there was no damage to the arched roof.
Yadav asked where crores of rupees of funds that come for the maintenance of Taj Mahal are going.
"The government should be a living and active example, not just a monument," he added.
