-- Pompeo invites North Korean counterpart to meet in NYC

-- US seeks denuclearization of NKorea by 2021

-- Some skepticism over North Korea's commitments

Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae-in visited the spiritual birthplace of the Korean nation yesterday for a show of unity after their North-South summit gave new momentum to Pyongyang's negotiations with Washington.

Kim was hoping for a second summit with US President Donald Trump "at an early date", Moon said in Seoul after concluding his three-day trip, adding he would take the US president a message from Kim when he meets him himself next week.

The North Korean leader on Wednesday agreed to shutter the Tongchang-ri missile-testing site in the presence of international observers, a move the US welcomed by saying it was ready for immediate talks aimed at denuclearising the North.

Pyongyang also said it could dismantle its best-known nuclear facility at Yongbyon, if the US takes "corresponding measures", as Kim and the South Korean president held their third summit this year.

It is an important caveat -- Moon told reporters on his return to Seoul that the US would need to "end hostile relations with North Korea and provide security guarantees for the North Korean regime".

But the declaration appeared to break the North's logjam with Washington.

Trump welcomed the move, tweeting that Kim had "agreed to allow Nuclear inspections, subject to final negotiations", adding: "Very exciting!"

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also praised the "important commitments", saying he invited his North Korean counterpart to talk next week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, and representatives of both sides to meet "at the earliest opportunity" in Vienna -- home of the International Atomic Energy Agency.