IAEA and North Korea reach "understanding"

02 July 2007

[BBC, 29 June; Associated Press, Bloomberg, 2 July] Following a four-day visit to North Korea, the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had reached an "understanding" with North Korea on how it will monitor the closure of the Yongbyon reactor. Olli Heinonen, who led the team of IAEA inspectors, said, "We have concluded this understanding, what our monitoring and verification activities are in principle." He added that he would report to the IAEA board this week, but that the ultimate timing of the reactor's closure would have to be agreed by the six nations involved in the disarmament talks. North Korea is expected to shut down the Yongbyon reactor as soon as it receives its first shipment of 50,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from South Korea, as promised in exchange for the facility's closure. South Korea agreed on 31 June to send the first shipment of oil in about two weeks. US president George Bush and South Korean president Roh Moo Hyun "expect the quick return of IAEA inspectors to supervise the shutdown and sealing of nuclear reactors," US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement.

Further information

International Atomic Energy Agency

WNA's Safeguards to prevent nuclear proliferation information paper
WNA's Iraq, North Korea & Iran - Implications for Safeguards information paper

WNN: UN inspectors visit North Korea
WNN: North Korea get its $25 million

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