North Korea opens up for nuclear inspection

North Korea has agreed to halt its nuclear weapons testing and will allow in UN nuclear inspectors in exchange for US food aid. The International Atomic Energy Agency will be […]

North Korea has agreed to halt its nuclear weapons testing and will allow in UN nuclear inspectors in exchange for US food aid.

The International Atomic Energy Agency will be able to enter the Communist state’s Yongbyon nuclear facilities after Washington and Pyongyang agreed the deal yesterday.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cautiously hailed a new phase of “nuclear diplomacy” with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, it was reported.

While IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano dubbed the talks “an important step forward”.

He said: “As I have said before, the Agency has an essential role to play in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear programme. Pending further details, we stand ready to return to Yongbyon to undertake monitoring activities upon request and with the agreement of the Agency’s Board of Governors.”

IAEA inspectors were last banned from entering the site in October 2008, a month after North Korea accused the US of failing to uphold its part of a disarmament-for-food deal.

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