Tuesday 20 March 2012

UN nuclear watchdog invited to visit North Korea


North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator has confirmed UN nuclear inspectors have been invited to the country for the first time in three years. Ri Yong-ho said the aim of the move was to implement a deal with the US. The North last month agreed to suspend nuclear and long-range missile tests in return for food aid. It also agreed to allow UN inspectors in, the US said. The invitation comes three months after Kim Jong-un came to power following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. But North Korea's pledge to co-operate with the international community was thrown into doubt last week, when Pyongyang announced plans to launch what it called a rocket-mounted satellite. The North said the launch - between 12 and 16 April - would mark the 100th birthday of its late Great Leader Kim Il-sung. Any launch would be seen as violating UN Security Council resolutions, and the US has described the plans as "highly provocative".

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