NKorea could be readying for IAEA inspectors

Seoul, Apr 26: Increased activity at North Korea's nuclear reactor suggests Pyongyang is preparing for a visit of UN atomic inspectors to the site as part of a deal that calls for its closure, a South Korean committee said today.

North Korea missed an April 14 deadline to start closing its Yongbyon reactor and source of plutonium for bombs as required by a six-way deal it reached in February, under which it also agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections.

''These activities are possibly to prepare the area and the facilities needed for the visit and stay of IAEA inspectors,'' South Korean parliament's intelligence committee said in a statement citing a spy agency briefing.

''The 5-megawatt reactor is currently in normal operations, but there are certain peculiar activities at the nuclear facilities,'' it said.

Workers have erected a structure at the back of the reactor and have refurbished the road leading into the compound, it said.

North Korea has said it wanted the release of 25 million dollar of funds frozen at a Macau bank for suspected links to illicit activities by Pyongyang before it would begin the steps to suspend nuclear activities.

Reuters

Related Stories