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N Korea 'may be shutting reactor' US doubts N Korea reactor reports
(about 18 hours later)
North Korea may be preparing to shut its main nuclear reactor, according to media reports from the South. The US has said it has no confirmation that North Korea is starting to shut down its main nuclear reactor.
Satellite images have detected unusual activity at the Yongbyon base, reports in the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper and Yonhap news agency say. Comments by State Department spokesman Sean McCormack follow media reports in South Korea that Pyongyang may have begun dismantling the Yongbyon reactor.
While the reason for this activity is still unclear, the reports raise hope that North Korea still intends to comply with an international deal. Satellite images detected unusual activity there, the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper and Yonhap news agency said.
The media reports raised hope that North Korea still intended to comply with an international deal.
Pyongyang has already missed the first deadline agreed as part of the deal.Pyongyang has already missed the first deadline agreed as part of the deal.
It was meant to have "shut down and sealed" its Yongbyon reactor by Saturday - 60 days after the deal was reached.It was meant to have "shut down and sealed" its Yongbyon reactor by Saturday - 60 days after the deal was reached.
But complications over North Korean funds, frozen in a Macau bank, delayed proceedings.But complications over North Korean funds, frozen in a Macau bank, delayed proceedings.
N KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to 'shut down and seal' Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tonnes of heavy fuel oilN Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor dealUnder earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treatyN Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at "appropriate time" class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6556417.stm">Limited outcry class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm">Q&A: Nuclear standoff The North linked progress on the agreement to the return of the money, refusing to move forward with shutting down the reactor until it had access to the $25m (£13m). On Tuesday, Mr McCormack said Washington was willing to give North Korea "a little bit more time" to honour its pledge.
N KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to 'shut down and seal' Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tonnes of heavy fuel oilN Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor dealUnder earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treatyN Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at "appropriate time" Limited outcry Q&A: Nuclear standoff
Pyongyang linked progress on the agreement to the return of the money, refusing to move forward with shutting down the reactor until it had access to the $25m (£13m).
After weeks of delay, the US said recently that the money was now available to be picked up, but there has been no confirmation of this from Pyongyang, and the funds are currently still in Macau's Banco Delta Asia.After weeks of delay, the US said recently that the money was now available to be picked up, but there has been no confirmation of this from Pyongyang, and the funds are currently still in Macau's Banco Delta Asia.
Saturday's deadline came and went with no official comment from the North.Saturday's deadline came and went with no official comment from the North.
Its dialogue partners - the US, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan - appear to be giving North Korea a few more days to comply.
Rice aidRice aid
Since the weekend's deadline has passed, there has been huge pressure on the North to start the process of shutting down its Yongbyon reactor as soon as possible. Since the deadline has passed, there has been huge pressure on the North to start the process of shutting down its Yongbyon reactor as soon as possible.
South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon spoke by telephone with his US counterpart, Condoleezza Rice, on Tuesday and the two "strongly expressed expectations that North Korea will soon implement disarmament measures," the South's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon spoke by telephone with his US counterpart, Condoleezza Rice, on Tuesday and the two "strongly expressed expectations that North Korea will soon implement disarmament measures," the South's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
South Korean media has also reported that Seoul is thinking of delaying the resumption of rice aid to its impoverished neighbour, until the North takes concrete steps forward.South Korean media has also reported that Seoul is thinking of delaying the resumption of rice aid to its impoverished neighbour, until the North takes concrete steps forward.
The two Koreas were set to begin talks on Wednesday to discuss the North's request for 400,000 tonnes of rice.The two Koreas were set to begin talks on Wednesday to discuss the North's request for 400,000 tonnes of rice.
But there are signs of hope, according to reports in Tuesday's South Korean media.But there are signs of hope, according to reports in Tuesday's South Korean media.
Officials from both Seoul and Washington have been closely monitoring activity at Yongbyon - and they have begun to notice changes.Officials from both Seoul and Washington have been closely monitoring activity at Yongbyon - and they have begun to notice changes.
South Korea has reportedly threatened to delay aid shipmentsAn unnamed intelligence official told Yonhap that the reactor was still operating, but there were some more intense signs of activity than usual. South Korea has reportedly threatened to delay aid shipments
An unnamed intelligence official told Yonhap that the reactor was still operating, but there were some more intense signs of activity than usual.
"We are tracing and analysing them," the official said, requesting anonymity."We are tracing and analysing them," the official said, requesting anonymity.
Some diplomatic officials were noncommittal about what these signs meant, but another un-named source is quoted as telling the Dong-A Ilbo: "Washington thinks it is highly likely that those activities are a part of North Korea's operations to close down the nuclear facility."Some diplomatic officials were noncommittal about what these signs meant, but another un-named source is quoted as telling the Dong-A Ilbo: "Washington thinks it is highly likely that those activities are a part of North Korea's operations to close down the nuclear facility."
Meanwhile the Macau bank involved in the funding dispute has challenged a US Treasury ruling that bars US banks from doing business with it.Meanwhile the Macau bank involved in the funding dispute has challenged a US Treasury ruling that bars US banks from doing business with it.
Banco Delta Asia said the ruling ignored all remedial measures it has taken, and "was politically motivated because it was based on disputes between the United States and North Korea".Banco Delta Asia said the ruling ignored all remedial measures it has taken, and "was politically motivated because it was based on disputes between the United States and North Korea".
Last month, the US blacklisted the bank, calling it a "willing pawn" in North Korea's illegal activities.Last month, the US blacklisted the bank, calling it a "willing pawn" in North Korea's illegal activities.