North Korea has pledged to finish disabling its biggest nuclear
facility within months in exchange for fuel oil and other economic aid.
The agreement was reached during six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program which concluded in Beijing on Saturday
At the talks the North also agreed to allow inspectors from the six
nations to visit the North's nuclear facilities, review documents, and
interview technical personnel to make sure the program is being shut
down.
Experts from the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency would also be allowed in to monitor the process.
A joint statement issued at the end of the three days of talks said the
North will complete steps to disable its Yongbyon Nuclear Plant by the
end of October.
On the same date, Pyongyang is to receive a promised shipment of heavy
fuel oil from the six nations negotiating an end to North Korea's
nuclear program.
Disarmament talks resumed Thursday after a nine-month pause.
The United States, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia agreed to
resume negotiations after Pyongyang handed over a list of its nuclear
facilities in late June.