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Tensions high in North Korea row Tensions high in North Korea row
(9 minutes later)
International tensions have remained high after North Korea said it was expelling UN nuclear inspectors and resuming work on its nuclear programme.International tensions have remained high after North Korea said it was expelling UN nuclear inspectors and resuming work on its nuclear programme.
The US has condemned Pyongyang's "provocative threats", saying they were "a step in the wrong direction".The US has condemned Pyongyang's "provocative threats", saying they were "a step in the wrong direction".
Washington has joined China, Russia, Japan and other countries in urging Pyongyang to return to negotiations.Washington has joined China, Russia, Japan and other countries in urging Pyongyang to return to negotiations.
The row follows North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket on 5 April, which critics say was a missile test.The row follows North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket on 5 April, which critics say was a missile test.
By contrast, the mood was festive in Pyongyang on Wednesday as the communist nation celebrated the Day of the Sun - the anniversary of the birth of founding President Kim Il-sung.By contrast, the mood was festive in Pyongyang on Wednesday as the communist nation celebrated the Day of the Sun - the anniversary of the birth of founding President Kim Il-sung.
State media called for unshakeable loyalty to his son, the current ruler Kim Jong-il, and credited the launch as a "historic victory".State media called for unshakeable loyalty to his son, the current ruler Kim Jong-il, and credited the launch as a "historic victory".
North Korea has said it wants to develop its space programme by 2012, which will mark 100 years since Kim Il-sung's birth. It said the launch was a step towards that goal.North Korea has said it wants to develop its space programme by 2012, which will mark 100 years since Kim Il-sung's birth. It said the launch was a step towards that goal.
Interceptions mulledInterceptions mulled
Pyongyang's move has been criticised by all the other members of the six party talks - the US, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan.Pyongyang's move has been criticised by all the other members of the six party talks - the US, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan.
But the North insists it put a communications satellite into orbit, and reacted angrily to Monday's statement from the UN Security Council condemning the launch.But the North insists it put a communications satellite into orbit, and reacted angrily to Monday's statement from the UN Security Council condemning the launch.
NUCLEAR CRISIS Feb 2007 - North Korea agrees to close its main nuclear reactor in exchange for fuel aidJune 2007 - North Korea shuts its main Yongbyon reactorJune 2008 - North Korea makes its long-awaited declaration of nuclear assetsOct 2008 - The US removes North Korea from its list of countries which sponsor terrorismDec 2008 - Pyongyang slows work to dismantle its nuclear programme after a US decision to suspend energy aidJan 2009 - The North says it is scrapping all military and political deals with the South, accusing it of "hostile intent"5 April 2009 - Pyongyang launches a rocket carrying what it says is a communications satellite14 April 2009 - After criticism of the launch from the UN Security Council, North Korea vows to walk out of six-party talks Engage, appease, oppose? N Korea a problem for Obama Timeline: North Korea
It said the criticism was an "unbearable insult" which debased the North Korean people.It said the criticism was an "unbearable insult" which debased the North Korean people.
North Korea's foreign ministry said it was quitting the long-running six party talks on its nuclear programmes and would "not be bound by any agreement reached at the talks".North Korea's foreign ministry said it was quitting the long-running six party talks on its nuclear programmes and would "not be bound by any agreement reached at the talks".
The ministry also said it was taking steps to reactivate its partially-dismantled Yongbyon nuclear facility.The ministry also said it was taking steps to reactivate its partially-dismantled Yongbyon nuclear facility.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had been instructed to remove seals and equipment from the Yongbyon reactor and that its monitors had been ordered to leave North Korea.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had been instructed to remove seals and equipment from the Yongbyon reactor and that its monitors had been ordered to leave North Korea.
Analysts say South Korea may soon announce that it is signing up to the controversial US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in response.Analysts say South Korea may soon announce that it is signing up to the controversial US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in response.
N Korea must end nuclear 'threats'
Membership of the PSI would allow South Korea to intercept any ships heading for the North which are believed to be carrying weapons or other items covered by existing sanctions.Membership of the PSI would allow South Korea to intercept any ships heading for the North which are believed to be carrying weapons or other items covered by existing sanctions.
The White House has called on North Korea "to cease its provocative threats and to respect the will of the international community and to honour its international commitments and obligations".The White House has called on North Korea "to cease its provocative threats and to respect the will of the international community and to honour its international commitments and obligations".
Spokesman Robert Gibbs defended the UN statement, and said withdrawing from negotiations was "a serious step in the wrong direction" for North Korea.Spokesman Robert Gibbs defended the UN statement, and said withdrawing from negotiations was "a serious step in the wrong direction" for North Korea.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described North Korea's reaction as "an unnecessary response to the legitimate statement put out of concern by the Security Council".US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described North Korea's reaction as "an unnecessary response to the legitimate statement put out of concern by the Security Council".
China and Russia - the North's neighbours and closest allies - have already urged North Korea to reconsider its decision, with Beijing calling for "calm and restraint".China and Russia - the North's neighbours and closest allies - have already urged North Korea to reconsider its decision, with Beijing calling for "calm and restraint".
Japan, whose territory the rocket flew over, said returning to the talks was the best option for North Korea.Japan, whose territory the rocket flew over, said returning to the talks was the best option for North Korea.
"Based on close co-operation with all countries involved, starting with the US, we want to demonstrate progress in the six party talks," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura."Based on close co-operation with all countries involved, starting with the US, we want to demonstrate progress in the six party talks," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura.
Limited optionsLimited options
IAEA inspectors went to North Korea following a landmark deal in February, under which it agreed to end its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and political incentives.IAEA inspectors went to North Korea following a landmark deal in February, under which it agreed to end its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and political incentives.
North Korea began disabling Yongbyon under an international deal NUCLEAR CRISIS Feb 2007 - North Korea agrees to close its main nuclear reactor in exchange for fuel aidJune 2007 - North Korea shuts its main Yongbyon reactorJune 2008 - North Korea makes its long-awaited declaration of nuclear assetsOct 2008 - The US removes North Korea from its list of countries which sponsor terrorismDec 2008 - Pyongyang slows work to dismantle its nuclear programme after a US decision to suspend energy aidJan 2009 - The North says it is scrapping all military and political deals with the South, accusing it of "hostile intent"5 April 2009 - Pyongyang launches a rocket carrying what it says is a communications satellite14 April 2009 - After criticism of the launch from the UN Security Council, North Korea vows to walk out of six-party talks class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7997872.stm"> Engage, appease, oppose? class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7985336.stm"> N Korea a problem for Obama class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1132268.stm"> Timeline: North Korea
It had carried out a nuclear test in October 2006.It had carried out a nuclear test in October 2006.
Some progress was made - last year North Korea partially disabled its Yongbyon reactor and handed over what it said was a complete declaration of its nuclear activities.Some progress was made - last year North Korea partially disabled its Yongbyon reactor and handed over what it said was a complete declaration of its nuclear activities.
In return, the US removed North Korea from the list of countries it says sponsors terrorism.In return, the US removed North Korea from the list of countries it says sponsors terrorism.
But talks have stalled in recent months, as Washington and Pyongyang accused each other of failing to meet obligations.But talks have stalled in recent months, as Washington and Pyongyang accused each other of failing to meet obligations.
Analysts say the action from North Korea appears to be an attempt to test the Obama administration and to force it to make fresh concessions.Analysts say the action from North Korea appears to be an attempt to test the Obama administration and to force it to make fresh concessions.
The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says that beyond condemning Pyongyang's actions, Washington's options are limited.The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says that beyond condemning Pyongyang's actions, Washington's options are limited.
North Korea's neighbours, such as Beijing, are more concerned with maintaining its stability while the US wants to ensure Pyongyang remains at the negotiating table.North Korea's neighbours, such as Beijing, are more concerned with maintaining its stability while the US wants to ensure Pyongyang remains at the negotiating table.