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S Korea resumes food aid to North S Korea resumes food aid to North
(about 1 hour later)
South Korea says it will resume food aid to North Korea, a day after Pyongyang announced it would implement a nuclear disarmament deal.South Korea says it will resume food aid to North Korea, a day after Pyongyang announced it would implement a nuclear disarmament deal.
The deliveries of rice to the country, still struggling with food shortages, are due to start on 30 June.The deliveries of rice to the country, still struggling with food shortages, are due to start on 30 June.
Meanwhile, US nuclear inspectors have arrived in Pyongyang for talks on monitoring the closure of North Korea's main Yongbyon reactor. Meanwhile, UN nuclear inspectors have arrived in Pyongyang for talks on monitoring the closure of North Korea's main Yongbyon reactor.
Pyongyang agreed to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon in a deal last February.Pyongyang agreed to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon in a deal last February.
But progress on implementing the deal had been hindered by a prolonged row over frozen North Korean funds in a Macau bank under US-instigated sanctions.But progress on implementing the deal had been hindered by a prolonged row over frozen North Korean funds in a Macau bank under US-instigated sanctions.
On Monday, North Korea said it had finally received its $25m (£12.5m) funds, and confirmed it would proceed with its agreement to shut Yongbyon.On Monday, North Korea said it had finally received its $25m (£12.5m) funds, and confirmed it would proceed with its agreement to shut Yongbyon.
Inspection talksInspection talks
South Korea's Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung announced that the first shipment of 3,000 tonnes of rice aid would leave for the North's port of Nampo on Saturday.South Korea's Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung announced that the first shipment of 3,000 tonnes of rice aid would leave for the North's port of Nampo on Saturday.
He said the entire shipment of 400,000 tonnes of food would take about six months to complete.He said the entire shipment of 400,000 tonnes of food would take about six months to complete.
N KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tons 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" Q&A: The bank rowN KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tons 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" Q&A: The bank row
The decision was made "in consideration of the request of the public and international community on a humanitarian issue", he said.The decision was made "in consideration of the request of the public and international community on a humanitarian issue", he said.
South Korea suspended food aid shipments a year ago after its northern neighbour test-fired long range missiles, before then testing a nuclear weapon in the October.South Korea suspended food aid shipments a year ago after its northern neighbour test-fired long range missiles, before then testing a nuclear weapon in the October.
Seoul had intended to resume the shipments in April after February's deal, but put them on hold while the nuclear issue was in doubt.Seoul had intended to resume the shipments in April after February's deal, but put them on hold while the nuclear issue was in doubt.
"The implementation of the 13 February deal was necessary for this," Mr Lee said."The implementation of the 13 February deal was necessary for this," Mr Lee said.
South Korea's announcement came hours before a four-member team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in Pyongyang.South Korea's announcement came hours before a four-member team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in Pyongyang.
The head of the team, Olli Heinonen, said they would be discussing procedures for IAEA inspectors to monitor the shut down and sealing of Yongbyon.The head of the team, Olli Heinonen, said they would be discussing procedures for IAEA inspectors to monitor the shut down and sealing of Yongbyon.
Before leaving for Pyongyang, he told reporters he was not sure whether he would get direct access to Yongbyon or how long it would take North Korea to shut down the facility.Before leaving for Pyongyang, he told reporters he was not sure whether he would get direct access to Yongbyon or how long it would take North Korea to shut down the facility.
But he expressed optimism. "I think [North Korea] will now do what they have been asked to do," he said.But he expressed optimism. "I think [North Korea] will now do what they have been asked to do," he said.
Ministerial meeting?Ministerial meeting?
Following his surprise visit to North Korea last week, chief US negotiator Christopher Hill has said he believes Pyongyang could shut the reactor within three weeks.Following his surprise visit to North Korea last week, chief US negotiator Christopher Hill has said he believes Pyongyang could shut the reactor within three weeks.
He also said he hoped that international talks on North Korea's nuclear programme can resume in July.He also said he hoped that international talks on North Korea's nuclear programme can resume in July.
The closure of Yongbyon, Mr Hill told reporters, would be the trigger for discussing wider issues with North Korea, such as economic assistance and peace talks.The closure of Yongbyon, Mr Hill told reporters, would be the trigger for discussing wider issues with North Korea, such as economic assistance and peace talks.
He also held out the prospect of a meeting that would include US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and North Korea's foreign minister later this summer.He also held out the prospect of a meeting that would include US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and North Korea's foreign minister later this summer.
"I can't say whether it's at the Asean regional forum or just before or just after, but some time in that time frame," Mr Hill said, referring to the Asean summit in Manila on 2 August."I can't say whether it's at the Asean regional forum or just before or just after, but some time in that time frame," Mr Hill said, referring to the Asean summit in Manila on 2 August.
But he stressed that further progress depended on North Korea coming clean on a number of issues - including whether it had stockpiles of enriched uranium.But he stressed that further progress depended on North Korea coming clean on a number of issues - including whether it had stockpiles of enriched uranium.