Nuclear Inspectors Arrive in N. Korea

Jun 26, 08:01 AM

Current Headlines: Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday, the first time they have been allowed in North Korea since 2002.

North Korea issued the invitation 10 days ago to discuss the shutdown of the country's nuclear reactor at Yongbyon as agreed upon in a February accord signed in Beijing.

IAEA deputy Director General Olli Heinonen led the delegation, and told a correspondent for China's Xinhua news agency he was optimistic about setting a shutdown timetable for the reactors.

The meetings follow a series Pyongyang with chief U.S. nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill last Friday and Saturday, which he described as productive.

Hill said it was possible the Yongbyon nuclear facility could be idle within probably three weeks.

In December 2002, North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors, and a month later, withdrew from the international Non-Proliferation Treaty.