This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6247648.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Monitors to visit N Korea reactor Inspectors visit N Korea reactor
(2 days later)
A team of UN nuclear inspectors is to visit a North Korean reactor at the centre of a key disarmament deal. A team of UN nuclear inspectors is heading to a North Korean reactor at the centre of a key disarmament deal.
It will be the first international monitoring team to be given access to the Yongbyon plant since 2002.It will be the first international monitoring team to be given access to the Yongbyon plant since 2002.
Analysts say the move shows the North Koreans are serious about a pledge to "shut down and seal" the reactor.Analysts say the move shows the North Koreans are serious about a pledge to "shut down and seal" the reactor.
But in a sign the North remains anxious to prove its bargaining power, it tested ballistic missiles on Wednesday - the fourth such test since early May. But in a sign the North remains anxious to prove its bargaining power, it tested a ballistic missile on Wednesday - the fourth such test since early May.
The White House confirmed the test, saying that it was "deeply troubled" by the move at a "delicate time" in international negotiations over North Korea's nuclear decommissioning. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe criticised the short-range missile launch, calling it a provocation that defied the UN, and could destabilise the region.
National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the US government expected the North "to refrain from conducting further provocative ballistic missile launches", which he said destabilise the security of north-east Asia. The White House said it was "deeply troubled" by the move, which happened at a "delicate time" in international negotiations over North Korea's nuclear decommissioning.
Huge plant Decommissioning
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday that North Korea would allow a team of UN nuclear watchdog officials to visit the Yongbyon reactor. The four-person International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team is hoping to spend most of Thursday and Friday at the Yongbyon site.
The plant, about 100km (65 miles) north of Pyongyang, is thought to be in a heavily guarded area defended by anti-aircraft positions, and the compound houses over 100 buildings.
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: N Korea standoff N Korea timelineN 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: N Korea standoff N Korea timeline
The four-person IAEA team is expected to go to the facility on Thursday and return to Pyongyang, where they are currently holding meetings, on Friday. Monitoring officials were expelled from Yongbyon in December 2002, after which the reactor went into operation, allegedly producing enough plutonium for up to 12 nuclear devices.
IAEA monitoring officials were expelled from Yongbyon in December 2002, after which the reactor went into operation, allegedly producing enough plutonium for several nuclear devices.
But under an international deal agreed in February, the North agreed to "shut down and seal" the reactor in exchange for international aid.But under an international deal agreed in February, the North agreed to "shut down and seal" the reactor in exchange for international aid.
While news of the return visit is an important step forward towards implementation of the deal, questions remain over the level of access the inspectors will be given. Before leaving Pyongyang on Thursday, the head of the mission, Olli Heinonen, said he was optimistic about the nuclear reactor being closed down.
The Yongbyon plant, about 100km (65 miles) north of Pyongyang, is thought to be a heavily guarded area defended by anti-aircraft positions, and the compound houses over 100 buildings. He said that discussions with North Korean officials would focus on the procedures for decommissioning the reactor.
Expanding relations "We are here to talk about the verification and monitoring arrangement," he said.
A European Union delegation also recently visited Pyongyang, and returned voicing optimism that the North Koreans were serious about nuclear decommissioning. However, Mr Heinonen added that it was too early to comment on which facilities could form part of the initial decommissioning process.
The South Korean foreign minister also sounded a positive note on Wednesday, predicting a short timescale for the closure of Yongbyon. Once agreement has been reached on the procedures, the IAEA is expected to send a new team of inspectors to observe the shut-down.
The various visits to North Korea this week became possible after a long-running row between the US and North Korea was finally resolved.
Progress on the February disarmament deal ground to a halt because of a dispute over North Korean funds that were frozen in a Macau bank under US-instigated sanctions.
The North refused to make any progress on the deal until it had access to the money.
But after weeks of negotiations, Pyongyang said on Monday that it had finally received its $25m (£12.5m) funds, and confirmed it would therefore proceed to close down Yongbyon.