DPRK pledges to speed up nuclear disarmament in exchange for oil aid

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Source: CCTV.com | 08-09-2007 10:57

(From L-R) South Korea's Ambassador for North Korean Nuclear Issue Lim Sung-Nam, Japan's Deputy Director-General, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Junichi Ihara, North Korea's Minister, North Korean Embassy in UN Kim Myong-Gil, South Korea's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Chun Yung-Woo, China's Ambassador for Korean Peninsula Issue Chen Naiqing, U.S. Director for Asian Economic Affairs, National Security Council Kurt Tong, and Russia's Chief of Division, First Asia Department O.Davydov pose before the second Economy and Energy Cooperation Working Group Meeting at Panmunjom August 7, 2007. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has agreed to speed up the process of disabling its nuclear facilities while waiting for heavy fuel aid from the Republic of Korea and other countries. This is seen as a positive result from the six-party working level talks on the economy and energy co-operation that wrapped up in Panmunjom on Wednesday.

The DPRK is willing to move quickly on its nuclear disarmament even if it has to wait for foreign oil aid. Seoul says this shows the DPRK's flexibility in disabling its nuclear facilities.

Lim Sung-Nam, ROK's deputy nuclear envoy, said, "Even if the DPRK's denuclearisation moves faster than the reciprocating economic and energy aid measures, the DPRK is willing to agree, based on the principle of mutual trust."

The latest concession made by the DPRK in abandoning its nuclear programs was welcomed by representatives at the meeting. The DPRK is to receive the equivalent of 950,000 tons of heavy fuel oil for disabling its nuclear facilities.

Kurt Tong, senior official US National Security Council, said, "Well it was a good session very productive and everyone brought a sincere attitude and I think we got a lot done, thanks."

The conclusions reached at the two-day working-level meeting will be passed on to chief delegates of the six-party talks. They are expected to approve the plans when they meet in Beijing in September.

Editor:Du Xiaodan