A DigitalGlobe satellite image shows a
nuclear facility in Yongbyon, DPRK September 29, 2004. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo) Photo
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PYONGYANG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) confirmed on Sunday that it had shut down its
Yongbyon nuclear facilities after receiving the first shipment of heavy oil from
South Korea.
"We have shut down the nuclear facilities at Yongbyon
after we received the first shipment of heavy oil on Friday," the official
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, citing a spokesman of the DPRK
Foreign Ministry.
This is the first DPRK official confirmation of the
shutdown of its Yongbyon nuclear facilities, which came hours after a 10-member
team of UN inspectors arrived in Pyongyang to verify and monitor the shutdown
and sealing of the facilities.
The heavy oil provided to the DPRK is compensation
for the shutdown of its Yongbyon nuclear facilities, but not any "beneficent
aid." And the activities of UN inspectors in Yongbyon should be defined as
"validation and monitoring," but not "inspection," the spokesman said.
The DPRK also urged other parties concerned to
fulfill their commitments quickly according to the February 13 agreement.
"The DPRK has done what it should do, now it's the
time for other parties to abide by their obligation under Feb. 13 agreement,"
said the spokesman.
At the February six-party talks involving China,
Japan, Russia, South Korea, the DPRK and the United States, Pyongyang pledged to
shut down the Yongbyon reactor within 60 days in exchange for 50,000 tons of
heavy fuel oil or equivalent aid.
However, the denuclearization process was held up as
the DPRK insisted that its 25 million U.S. dollars frozen at the Banco Delta
Asia in Macao be returned before shutting down the nuclear facilities and
reviving negotiations.
The DPRK announced later in June that the problem of
its frozen fund had been resolved and pledged last Friday to start implement the
Feb. 13 agreement as it received the first shipment of heavy oil.
PYONGYANG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The nuclear
issue on the Korean Peninsula has recorded a substantial progress as the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) announced that it had shut down its
Yongbyon nuclear facilities. Full story
PYONGYANG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Sunday that the full implementation of the
February 13 agreement depends on what practical policies the United States and
Japan will take to change their hostile policies toward it. Full story
WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) has shut down its Yongbyon nuclear facilities, U.S.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack announced Saturday. Full story
SEOUL, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A South Korean ship carrying
6,200 tons of heavy fuel oil arrived Saturday morning at the northeastern port
of Songbong in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the South
Korean Unification Ministry said. Full story
PYONGYANG, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Saturday urged the United States to change
its hostile policy against it, saying the settlement of the nuclear issue
depends on (the change in) U.S. policy. Full story
SEOUL, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A South Korean ship with 6,200
tons of heavy fuel oil left South Korea's Ulsan port for the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday. Full story
SEOUL, July 12 (Xinhua)-- Mohamed ElBaradei, director
general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said here Thursday
that he is optimistic about the denuclearization in the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK). Full story
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