North Korea to Disable Nuclear Programme

North Korea has agreed to fully account for and disable its nuclear programme by the end of the year, a US nuclear negotiator has announced.

The US Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill said two days of meetings in Geneva to tackle the next phase of an international deal has persuaded North Korea to give up its nuclear technology and facilities, according to Reuters.

Earlier this year, a six party agreement resulted in the inspection and shutdown of North Korea's Yongbyon complex, which had produced bomb-grade plutonium - in return for 50,000t of heavy fuel oil.

Kim Kye-gwan, Pyongyang's chief nuclear envoy, has said he is pleased with the talks.

Reported by staff writer