U.S. Announces Diplomatic Breakthrough with North Korea

U.S. Announces Diplomatic Breakthrough with North Korea

The United States announced a new diplomatic engagement with North Korea Wednesday.

Based on the agreement with the U.S. in Beijing last week, North Korea has an agreement with the U.S. to allow the nuclear inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to return.  Furthermore, they also agreed to the group’s implementing a moratorium on long-range missile tests, nuclear tests, and other nuclear activities at Yongbyon, the State Department said.

In return, the United States will provide 240,000 metric tons of nutritional assistance along with the thorough monitoring required for the delivery of such assistance.

"To improve the atmosphere for dialogue and demonstrate its commitment to de-nuclearization, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has agreed to implement a moratorium on long-range missile launches, nuclear tests and nuclear activities at Yongbyon, including uranium enrichment activities," Victoria Nuland said in a press statement Wednesday.

"DPRK has also agreed to the return of IAEA inspectors to verify and monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment activities at Yongbyon and confirm the disablement of the 5-MW reactor and associated facilities," the State Department Spokeswoman added.

Despite the breakthrough, "the United States still has profound concerns regarding North Korean behavior across a wide range of areas," Nuland's statement cautioned.

Posted by James Fried on Friday March 02 2012, 1:22 PM EST. Ref: CNN. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0