BEIJING, April 12 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea says it will begin shutting down its nuclear reactor once it receives money frozen in Macao's Banco Delta Asia. It's Pyongyang's clearest reaction yet to news the money is being released.

    U.S. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson met Pyongyang's chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-gwan on Wednesday. He says the DPRK has promised to start shutting the nuclear program.

    Richardson said, "The North Korean government told us that with that issue resolved, the DPRK would move promptly, within a day, after receiving the funds."

    Richardson added Pyongyang is also ready to invite UN nuclear inspectors back to the country.

    However, Richardson says it will be hard for the DPRK to meet Saturday's deadline, which had been agreed in February's six-party talks.

    Richardson said, "In an offhanded way, a DPRK official mentioned that perhaps 30 additional days would be needed because of the current delay over the BDA issue."

    The United States said on Tuesday that about 25 million U.S. dollars in frozen DPRK funds at the Banco Delta Asia were being released.

    Richardson says the bank is expected to formally notify the DPRK soon that it can access the money.

    The dispute over the frozen funds has bogged down efforts to end the DPRK's nuclear program since September 2005.

    Meanwhile, U.S. chief negotiator Christopher Hill met South Korea's foreign minister. They agreed the priority is the implementation of the February agreement, urging the DPRK to take positive steps.

    (Source: cctv.com)