Reps Arrive In N. Korea To Assess Disablement

Nuclear Envoys Arrive in N. Korea to Assess Disablement Progress

Representatives from five nations involved in talks on North Korea's nuclear program have arrived in Pyongyang to observe the disablement of the country's main nuclear complex.

Before departing for North Korea Tuesday, senior U.S. diplomat Sung Kim told reporters in Beijing that representatives feel they are making progress. Kim was accompanied by officials from China, Japan, Russia and South Korea.

The multinational team is expected to stay in North Korea for three days.

North Korea has promised to disable its nuclear facilities and declare all of its nuclear programs by the end of this year. In return, Pyongyang was promised energy assistance and political concessions.

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul confirmed Monday that it has stationed a State Department official in North Korea to help with the nuclear disablement process.

The top U.S. nuclear envoy, Christopher Hill, is also departing Tuesday for a visit to Tokyo and Seoul. Hill is expected to go to Beijing for a likely new round of six-nation discussions about disarming North Korea's nuclear program.

ENDS

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