This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7476755.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
N Korea 'destroys reactor tower' N Korea 'destroys reactor tower'
(about 1 hour later)
North Korea has demolished the cooling tower at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, in a symbolic display of its intention to disarm, South Korean media report. North Korea has demolished the cooling tower at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, in a symbol of its commitment to talks on disarmament, say South Korean media.
It is expected to be some time before images of the demolition are available. International TV crews were invited to witness the tower's demolition.
The move comes a day after the isolated state handed over long-awaited details of its nuclear programme. The move comes a day after the isolated state handed over long-awaited details of its nuclear programme, but no account of its weapons stockpile.
In return, the White House agreed to scrap some of its sanctions against North Korea, and remove it from a list of states sponsoring terrorism. In return, the White House agreed to scrap some sanctions and remove it from a list of states sponsoring terrorism.
Pyongyang invited selected international television crews to witness the demolition of the cooling tower.
YONGBYON COOLING TOWER It is 20m (65ft) highIn operation since March 2003A key element of the reactor, although Yongbyon was already in the process of being decommissionedCooling tower is a simple piece of equipment that could easily, though not invisibly, be rebuilt
Analysts say that while the destruction of the tower is not, in itself, a huge step forward, it is still being seen as an important gesture.
The Yongbyon reactor was shut in July last year as part of a six-party agreement reached 16 months ago when the North said it would scrap its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and diplomatic concessions.The Yongbyon reactor was shut in July last year as part of a six-party agreement reached 16 months ago when the North said it would scrap its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and diplomatic concessions.
Mr Bush emphasised on Thursday that moves to take the country from the US terror list would not begin for 45 days, and only if the North's nuclear declaration was verified. YONGBYON COOLING TOWER It is 20m (65ft) highIn operation since March 2003A key element of the reactor, although Yongbyon was already in the process of being decommissionedCooling tower is a simple piece of equipment that could easily, though not invisibly, be rebuilt class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1132268.stm">North Korea: Timeline
But former US envoy to the UN, John Bolton, labelled the decision "shameful" and the "final collapse of Bush's foreign policy". Analysts say that while the destruction of the tower is not, in itself, a huge step forward, it is still being seen as an important gesture.
Russia has suggested restarting the talks - which also include North and South Korea, Japan, China, the US and Russia - as early as next week. The reactor, 96 km (60 miles) north of Pyongyang, produced plutonium for the North's nuclear weapons test in 2006.
Meanwhile, the negotiating team has been poring over Pyongyang's 60-page nuclear activities declaration submitted on Thursday. South Korea said on Friday it hoped a new round of six-party talks - which also include North Korea, Japan, Russia, China and the US - could begin next month.
Meanwhile, the negotiating team has been poring over Pyongyang's 60-page declaration, submitted on Thursday.
Six months overdue, the account is expected to cover the North's plutonium production activities.Six months overdue, the account is expected to cover the North's plutonium production activities.
But analysts says it is unlikely to mention a suspected uranium enrichment programme, or claims it helped Syria build a nuclear facility, all denied by the North. But, as well as omitting any tally of its nuclear arsenal, the dossier also omits any mention of a suspected uranium enrichment programme or claims it helped Syria build a nuclear facility, all denied by Pyongyang.
Mr Bush has emphasised moves to take the North off the US terror list would not begin for 45 days, and only if its nuclear declaration was verified.
But former US envoy to the UN, John Bolton, labelled the decision "shameful" and the "final collapse of Bush's foreign policy".
What is your reaction to the North Korea handover? Does the move do enough to allay regional fears? Send us your comments using the form below.What is your reaction to the North Korea handover? Does the move do enough to allay regional fears? Send us your comments using the form below.
Name
 Name