North Korea agrees to nuclear moratorium, IAEA inspections

North Korea agrees to nuclear moratorium, IAEA inspections

2012-03-01 23:10:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

PYONGYANG, North Korea (BNO NEWS) -- The North Korean government on Wednesday agreed to a moratorium on nuclear tests, long-range missile launches, and uranium enrichment activity at one of its nuclear facilities, officials said. The announcement was welcomed by the international community.

A spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry said the decisions were made after a third round of high-level talks with the United States in Beijing. "The talks [..] offered a venue for sincere and in-depth discussion of issues concerning the measures aimed at building confidence for the improvement of relations between the DPRK (North Korea) and the U.S. as well as issues related with ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and resumption of the six-party talks," the spokesman said in a statement.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry said both North Korea and the U.S. agreed to make a number of simultaneous moves which are aimed at building confidence. "The U.S. reaffirmed that it no longer has hostile intent toward the DPRK and that it is prepared to take steps to improve the bilateral relations in the spirit of mutual respect for sovereignty and equality," the spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, the U.S. government promised 240,000 metric tons (529 million pounds) of food aid to North Korea. "The U.S. also agreed to take steps to increase people-to-people exchanges, including in the areas of culture, education, and sports," he said. "The U.S. made it clear that sanctions against the DPRK are not targeting the civilian sector, including the livelihood of people."

In return for the U.S. promises and to maintain a 'positive atmosphere' for the high-level talks, North Korean officials agreed to a moratorium on nuclear tests, long-range missile launches, and uranium enrichment activity at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center. The North Korean government also agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor the moratorium.

"The United States still has profound concerns regarding North Korean behavior across a wide range of areas, but today's announcement reflects important, if limited, progress in addressing some of these," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in response to the announcement. "We have agreed to meet with the DPRK to finalize administrative details necessary to move forward with our proposed package of 240,000 metric tons of nutritional assistance along with the intensive monitoring required for the delivery of such assistance."

British Foreign Secretary William Hague described Wednesday's announcement as 'very positive news.' "Recent changes in the North Korean leadership provide an opportunity for renewed engagement with the international community," he said. "This commitment by the DPRK to halt nuclear tests and uranium enrichment and to accept IAEA inspectors to verify this undertaking is an important step. If the North Korean Government upholds this commitment and seizes this opportunity, it will find that the international community is ready to work with North Korea to achieve lasting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula."

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also said he is 'encouraged' by the progress of the high-level talks. "[ban] hopes the expressed commitment by DPRK to take several initial steps will be implemented toward a verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," his spokesman said. "The Secretary-General once again encourages the parties concerned to step up their efforts to settle outstanding issues by peaceful means including dialogue."

North Korea is currently undergoing a leadership transition after Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il died of a reported heart attack in December 2011. He was succeeded by his son Kim Jong-un, who has taken over as Supreme Leader.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-03-01