N Korea mulls early shutdown
06/07/2007 18:11  - (SA)  

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Seoul - North Korea said on Friday that it would consider shutting down its nuclear reactor when the first batch of energy aid promised under a disarmament deal arrives.

The North "... is now earnestly examining even the issue of suspending the operation of its nuclear facilities earlier than expected, that is from the moment the first shipment of heavy oil ... is made," a North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement through the North's state media.

The shutdown could occur "without waiting for the total quantity of heavy oil to reach its port", the statement said, and the move was prompted by "the desire to facilitate the process of the six-party talks".

The statement came after South Korea promised to send its first shipment of fuel oil to North Korea next Thursday, amid efforts to persuade the communist state quickly to shut down its nuclear weapons programme.

The South's Unification Ministry said that 6 200 tons of heavy fuel oil would be sent to the North on July 12.

Under the first phase of the six-nation disarmament deal, energy-starved North Korea is to receive a total of 50 000 tons of oil for shutting down and sealing its reactor at Yongbyon in the presence of UN atomic inspectors.

- AFP

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