This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-pacific-17208755

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
North Korea agrees to nuclear moratorium North Korea agrees to nuclear moratorium
(about 4 hours later)
North Korea has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment, as well as nuclear and long-range missile tests, following talks with the US.North Korea has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment, as well as nuclear and long-range missile tests, following talks with the US.
The US State Department said Pyongyang had also agreed to allow UN inspectors to monitor its reactor in Yongbyon to verify compliance with the measures.The US State Department said Pyongyang had also agreed to allow UN inspectors to monitor its reactor in Yongbyon to verify compliance with the measures.
In return, the US is finalising 240,000 tonnes of food aid for the North.In return, the US is finalising 240,000 tonnes of food aid for the North.
The move comes two months after Kim Jong-un came to power following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.The move comes two months after Kim Jong-un came to power following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.
Correspondents say the move could pave the way for the resumption of six-party disarmament negotiations with Pyongyang, which last broke down in 2009.Correspondents say the move could pave the way for the resumption of six-party disarmament negotiations with Pyongyang, which last broke down in 2009.
'First step''First step'
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US still had "profound concerns" over North Korea, but welcomed the move as a "first step".US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US still had "profound concerns" over North Korea, but welcomed the move as a "first step".
"On the occasion of Kim Jong-il's death, I said that it is our hope that the new leadership will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace by living up to its obligations."On the occasion of Kim Jong-il's death, I said that it is our hope that the new leadership will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace by living up to its obligations.
"Today's announcement represents a modest first step in the right direction.""Today's announcement represents a modest first step in the right direction."
North Korea confirmed the move in a foreign ministry statement released in Pyongyang.North Korea confirmed the move in a foreign ministry statement released in Pyongyang.
The statement, carried by the KCNA news agency, said the measures were "aimed at building confidence for the improvement of relations" between the two countries, and said talks would continue.The statement, carried by the KCNA news agency, said the measures were "aimed at building confidence for the improvement of relations" between the two countries, and said talks would continue.
"Both the DPRK [North Korea] and the US affirmed that it is in mutual interest to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, improve the relations between the DPRK and the US, and push ahead with the denuclearisation through dialogue and negotiations," it said."Both the DPRK [North Korea] and the US affirmed that it is in mutual interest to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, improve the relations between the DPRK and the US, and push ahead with the denuclearisation through dialogue and negotiations," it said.
This deal is the first major international act of the new North Korean leader. But how much the agreement bears his personal stamp is unclear. In Washington, the feeling among officials and analysts is that this is a useful but limited step forward.
The air in Seoul was thick with rumours at the end of last year, about a deal which offered concessions on North Korea's nuclear programme in return for American food aid. Having inspectors on the ground in North Korea will, they believe, be very useful, but the optimism is coloured by a sense that promises like these have bloomed and withered many times in the past.
That was just before the former leader, Kim Jong-il, died - and contacts were disrupted. For Mr Obama, the agreement reduces the chances of a serious North Korean nuclear crisis during his re-election year.
But whether this deal is his doing, or that of his young son and heir, the speed with which it happened following the transition is striking. And what do the North Koreans get? They will receive shipments of "nutritional assistance" for a hungry population weeks before a politically important celebration - the anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birth.
Some will read that as a sign of political softening by the regime; others as a sign of North Korea's increasingly desperate need for food aid. One crucial area not addressed, we're told: uranium enrichment facilities which may exist outside Yongbyon. US analysts remain worried that North Korea possesses as yet undiscovered centrifuges.
Either way, if agreement is implemented (and many have failed), it will mark the first small step towards peace in more than three years. In all, the agreement - if it sticks - may help the chances of a resumption of comprehensive denuclearisation talk.
Yukiya Amano, director general of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the announcement was "an important step forward" and that inspectors stood ready to return to North Korea, Reuters reports.Yukiya Amano, director general of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the announcement was "an important step forward" and that inspectors stood ready to return to North Korea, Reuters reports.
Earlier, a senior US military official said the issue of food aid for North Korea was now linked to political progress - contradicting earlier policy.Earlier, a senior US military official said the issue of food aid for North Korea was now linked to political progress - contradicting earlier policy.
The North has suffered persistent food shortages since a famine in the 1990s, and relies on foreign aid to feed its people.The North has suffered persistent food shortages since a famine in the 1990s, and relies on foreign aid to feed its people.
North Korea agreed in 2005 to give up its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and political concessions, as part of a six-nation dialogue process involving the two Koreas, the US, China, Russia and Japan.North Korea agreed in 2005 to give up its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and political concessions, as part of a six-nation dialogue process involving the two Koreas, the US, China, Russia and Japan.
But progress on the deal was stop-start, and the agreement broke down in 2009.But progress on the deal was stop-start, and the agreement broke down in 2009.
Contact between the US and North Korea aimed at restarting the talks began in July 2011.Contact between the US and North Korea aimed at restarting the talks began in July 2011.
A meeting last week between US and North Korean officials in Beijing was the third round of talks aimed at exploring how to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.A meeting last week between US and North Korean officials in Beijing was the third round of talks aimed at exploring how to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.