North Korea may shut down atom plant early

Seoul, July 6: North Korea is considering suspending operations at its nuclear facilities as soon as the first shipment of heavy fuel reaches its port under a February disarmament deal, its Foreign Ministry spokesman said today.

The five countries that agreed to that deal should begin preparations to provide the remaining 950,000 tonnes of fuel oil to match the North's actions in disabling the facilities, or Pyongyang would reverse the nuclear suspension, he said.

''The DPRK 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 equivalent to one-tenth of the total quantity is made,'' the spokesman said. His statement was carried by the official KCNA news agency.

DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Under the Feb 13 deal, North Korea agreed to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, the source of its weapons-grade plutonium, in return for 50,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from South Korea.

It is to receive an additional 950,000 tonnes of oil or other aid of equivalent value if it takes steps to completely disable all its nuclear facilities.

South Korea said the first shipment of 6,200 tonnes would set sail on July 12.

''The agreement should be honoured not only by the DPRK but by all the countries participating in the six-party talks on the principle action for action,'' the spokesman said.

Otherwise, he said: ''the resumption of its nuclear activity will assume legitimate nature.''

Reuters>