North Korea get its $25 million

15 June 2007

[Washington Post, 15 June; KCNA 16 June] North Korea has now received the $25 million previously frozen in aMacau Bank by a US Treasury investigation. The problematic transfer ofthe funds stalled the February deal between North Korea and the othermembers of the Six Party Talks (China, Japan, Russia, South Korea andthe USA). In February, North Korea agreed to shut down its Yongbyonplutonium production reactor and then end all its nuclear programs inreturn for energy aid. On 16 June, Ri Je Son, director generalof North Korea's General Department of Atomic Energy, confirmed that aletter had been sent to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which noted that a 'working-level'IAEA delegation had been invited to the country.

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: Yongbyon shutdown deadline 14 April
WNN: North Korea agrees to nuclear disarmament

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