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Seoul upbeat about N Korea's opening to UN inspectors

South Korea welcomed North Korea's invitation to UN nuclear inspectors, saying yesterday it is a first step toward its neighbor's eventual disarmament, but Seoul sounded cautious over Pyongyang's timetable for shutting its nuclear reactor.

"This is good news ... [but] this is not the time to get excited," South Korean chief nuclear envoy Chun Yung-woo said.

The North on Saturday invited inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the transfer of frozen North Korean funds that has stalled the disarmament process for months neared completion.

North Korea said that a "working-level delegation" from the UN nuclear watchdog had been invited to discuss procedures for the verification and monitoring of the Yongbyon reactor's shutdown.

North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors in December 2002.

In Washington, the White House also welcomed the North Korean announcement.

"This is a good step," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House.

He said the participants in the six-nation nuclear talks should now move to fully implement the February agreement and the eventual denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea had refused to move on its February pledge to shut down the reactor until it receives US$25 million in funds that were frozen in a Macau bank.

The US accused Banco Delta Asia of helping North Korea's government pass fake US$100 bills and launder money from weapons sales.

Claiming the financial freeze was a sign of Washington's hostility, North Korea boycotted the six-nation talks for more than a year, during which it conducted its first-ever atomic bomb test last October.

Chun said he expects that "the North will shut down its nuclear reactor at an early date" but took a wait-and-see approach, saying Seoul and its regional partners need to see how quickly North Korea and the IAEA complete the discussions and shut down the reactor.

South Korea plans to start shipping 50,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil to North Korea by the time Pyongyang shuts down its nuclear reactor, said Chun, adding preparations could begin in coming weeks.

The North is to eventually receive further energy or other aid equivalent to 950,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil in return for irreversibly disabling the reactor and declaring all nuclear programs.

On Saturday, US nuclear envoy Christopher Hill said he expected the next round of nuclear talks to be held early next month, adding that it was important for North Korea to close its reactor before the next meeting that involves the US, the two Koreas, Russia, China and Japan.

Chun also echoed Hill's comments, saying the implementation of initial steps is a top priority.

"We still have a long way to go," Chun said.
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