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N Korea 'could shut reactor soon' N Korea 'could shut reactor soon'
(about 2 hours later)
North Korea has told US delegates that it will miss Saturday's deadline to begin shutting down its main nuclear reactor, according to NBC news. North Korea has told US delegates that it will miss Saturday's deadline to begin shutting down its main nuclear reactor, US news network NBC reports.
But it said that because a dispute over frozen funds had now been resolved, it could begin the process within 30 days.But it said that because a dispute over frozen funds had now been resolved, it could begin the process within 30 days.
North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-gwan also said UN nuclear inspectors could be allowed back into the country within a month.North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-gwan also said UN nuclear inspectors could be allowed back into the country within a month.
Saturday's deadline to shut the reactor was part of a deal agreed in February.Saturday's deadline to shut the reactor was part of a deal agreed in February.
Funding dispute
Under the landmark agreement, North Korea said it would "shut down and seal" its Yongbyon nuclear plant in return for energy aid and other incentives from its dialogue partners - the US, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan.Under the landmark agreement, North Korea said it would "shut down and seal" its Yongbyon nuclear plant in return for energy aid and other incentives from its dialogue partners - the US, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan.
But progress on implementing the deal was delayed because of the financial dispute involving $25m (£12.7m) of North Korean funds, which had been frozen in Macau-based Banco Delta Asia (BDA).But progress on implementing the deal was delayed because of the financial dispute involving $25m (£12.7m) of North Korean funds, which had been frozen in Macau-based Banco Delta Asia (BDA).
Pyongyang refused to move forward with the deal until the Macau banking authorities released the money. 'Resolved'
The impasse now appears to have been resolved, though. A US delegation has been in Pyongyang to negotiate return of the remains of American soldiers killed in the Korean War.
The US Treasury Department said on Tuesday that Macau authorities had unblocked the funds, allowing North Korea to obtain the money. The head of the team, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, was given assurances over the North's nuclear pledge at a dinner with Kim Kye-gwan, NBC quoted delegation officials as saying.
"I think we have come to a very important juncture which is that we consider this BDA matter to be really resolved," senior US envoy to North Korea Christopher Hill told reporters. Mr Kim said that while the North would miss Saturday's deadline, it could begin shutting the reactor within 30 days and allow back in UN inspectors within the month, NBC reported.
"The DPRK (North Korea) has access to their accounts now.....We think it is a really important time to get on with the ever urgent task of denuclearisation, in particular to get on with the implementation of this February agreement." Pyongyang had refused to move forward with the deal over its nuclear programme until its funds in Macau were unblocked.
On Tuesday, the US Treasury Department said the freeze had been lifted by the Macau authorities, allowing North Korea to obtain the money.
Senior US envoy to North Korea Christopher Hill told reporters that the impasse had now been resolved.
"I think we have come to a very important juncture which is that we consider this BDA matter to be really resolved," he said.
"The DPRK (North Korea) has access to their accounts now... We think it is a really important time to get on with the ever urgent task of denuclearisation, in particular to get on with the implementation of this February agreement."