NKorea Considers Early Reactor Shutdown

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

NKorea Considers Early Reactor Shutdown

Friday July 6, 2007 2:16 PM

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By JAE-SOON CHANG

Associated Press Writer

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea said Friday it is
willing to shut down its main nuclear reactor as soon as it
receives an initial shipment of energy aid promised as a
reward for closing the facility.

It is the first time that the communist nation has indicated a
specific timeline for when it would close its Yongbyon facility
in exchange for economic aid and political concessions,
including 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil, as called for by a
February international deal.

The North's Foreign Ministry said the country “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,” according to the country's official Korean
Central News Agency.

South Korea said earlier Friday that a first shipment of the energy
aid, totaling 6,200 metric tons, would depart for North Korea on
July 12.

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Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6761576,00.html