IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano. Photo: IAEA/D. Calma
The United Nations atomic watchdog has called today?s announcement by the United States about the results of its talks with the Democratic People?s Republic of Korea (DPRK) over the latter country?s nuclear programme ?an important step forward.?
DPRK has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment activities and nuclear weapons tests and allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to verify compliance with these measures, while the US is providing the Asian country with supplies of food aid, according to media reports.
The announcement by the US Government today follows recent talks between the two countries.
In a statement, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano underscored that the Vienna-based agency has ?an essential role to play in verifying the DPRK?s nuclear programme.?
The statement added that, ?pending further details, we stand ready to return to Yongbyon [the site of a nuclear reactor in the DPRK] to undertake monitoring activities upon request and with the agreement of the agency?s board of governors.?
