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N Korea agrees nuclear deadline N Korea agrees nuclear deadline
(about 1 hour later)
North Korea has agreed to disable its main nuclear reactor and give complete details of its nuclear programme by 31 December, Chinese officials say.North Korea has agreed to disable its main nuclear reactor and give complete details of its nuclear programme by 31 December, Chinese officials say.
The agreement came after negotiations last week in Beijing involving China, the US, Japan, Russia and the Koreas.The agreement came after negotiations last week in Beijing involving China, the US, Japan, Russia and the Koreas.
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, who chaired the talks, said the US would lead the disablement process.Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, who chaired the talks, said the US would lead the disablement process.
Pyongyang tested a nuclear device last year but then agreed to end its nuclear programme in return for aid. Pyongyang tested a nuclear device last year but agreed to end its nuclear programme for aid and other rewards.
Mr Wu said that, under the agreement, North Korea committed itself to disabling its experimental nuclear reactor at the Yongbyon site as well as a reprocessing plant and equipment for the production of fuel rods.Mr Wu said that, under the agreement, North Korea committed itself to disabling its experimental nuclear reactor at the Yongbyon site as well as a reprocessing plant and equipment for the production of fuel rods.
North Korea would also give a "complete and correct declaration" of its nuclear programmes, he added.North Korea would also give a "complete and correct declaration" of its nuclear programmes, he added.
Slow processSlow process
US President George W Bush welcomed the deal.US President George W Bush welcomed the deal.
Implementation of the agreement would end North Korea's production of plutonium, "a major step towards the goal of achieving the verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula," a White House spokesman said.Implementation of the agreement would end North Korea's production of plutonium, "a major step towards the goal of achieving the verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula," a White House spokesman said.
FEBRUARY 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 stand-off Timeline: Nuclear crisisFEBRUARY 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 stand-off Timeline: Nuclear crisis
The latest round of six-nation talks was aimed at developing a timetable for the second stage of the denuclearisation process as agreed in February. The latest round of six-nation talks was aimed at developing a timetable for the latest stage of the denuclearisation process as agreed in February.
The North agreed in principle to halt nuclear work in return for economic and diplomatic benefits but the process has been slow and fraught with difficulties. The North agreed in principle in February to halt nuclear work in return for economic and diplomatic benefits.
A wrangle over North Korean funds frozen in a bank in Macau held up the closure of Yongbyon. The issue was finally resolved and the reactor was shut down and sealed in July. But the process has been slow and fraught with difficulties.
In return, the North then received 50,000 metric tons of heavy fuel oil from South Korea. A wrangle over North Korean funds frozen in a bank in Macau held up the initial shutting down of Yongbyon.
A further 950,000 tons is dependent on ending all nuclear programmes. The issue was finally resolved and under the first phase of the deal Pyongyang shut down the Yongbyon reactor and four other related facilities in July.
It also allowed inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into the country.
In return, it received 50,000 metric tons of heavy fuel oil from South Korea.
A further 950,000 tons is dependent on the North completing the second phase - declaring and permanently disabling all its nuclear facilities.
However, Japan on Wednesday said it would not resume its aid to Pyongyang, citing lack of progress in the dispute over the kidnapping of Japanese nationals by North Korea.
The announcement came as the leaders of North and South Korea met for a historic summit in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang - only the second such meeting since the end of the Korean war.The announcement came as the leaders of North and South Korea met for a historic summit in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang - only the second such meeting since the end of the Korean war.