IAEA team arrives in N. Korea, help close down Yongbyon nuclear plant

Posted on : 2007-07-14 16:53 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST

Inspectors from the international atomic energy watchdog arrived in North Korea Saturday to begin operations to close down and seal off the Yongbyon nuclear reactor and support facilities.

The 10-person International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team, led by Adel Tolba, landed in Pyongyang and headed for the nuclear facility located about 80 kilometers north of the capital city.

Yongbyon's 5 megawatt reactor is the only operational reactor in North Korea. The site also has a reprocessing plant for spent fuel rods. The IAEA team is expected to stay at the nuclear plant for two to three weeks, taking part in operations to shut down and seal off the various facilities and set up surveillance cameras. Two of the inspectors will remain behind to keep watch on the site. Tolba told reporters in Beijing prior to leaving for Pyongyang that inspectors would head for Yongbyon immediately after they arrive, and that details of what actions are taken at the plant will be sent to the international atomic energy watchdog.

Related to IAEA's mission, Christopher Hill, Washington's point man on nuclear negotiations, said Pyongyang would halt Yongbyon operations by Monday at the latest.

The official, who is in Tokyo prior to the kickoff of the next round of six-party talks planned for Wednesday, said there is no exact date for the reactor to be turned off, but added that it should not take too long. He stressed that while the action is a positive step, there is currently no need to place too much importance on the move that marks only the beginning of a long process.

The six-party talks are aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions and is attended by the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, China and Russia.

North Korea kicked out IAEA inspectors and removed surveillance equipment in late 2002 and early 2003, after the United States accused it of carrying out clandestine uranium enrichment operations.

It tested a nuclear device in October of last year before agreeing to close down Yongbyon in an agreement reached on Feb. 13.

Under the deal, Pyongyang agreed to disable all of its nuclear facilities in exchange for economic aid and other benefits provided by the other members of the six-party talks.

SEOUL, July 14 (Yonhap News)