Pay for Delays, North Warns, or It Will Walk Away From Pact With U.S.

North Korea announced Wednesday that if the United States does not compensate it for the electricity lost from the delay in constructing the nuclear power plants it pledged to complete by 2003, it may have to "reoperate the graphite-moderated reactors." The North had only one such reactor in operation at the time of the U.S. pledge, although Washington claimed it was making nuclear weapons material rather than electricity.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency said that only 95 percent of the site preparation work has been completed at the nuclear site in the seven years since the adoption of the 1994 agreed framework by Washington and Pyongyang. "When we trace back the process of delay in the construction of the light-water reactor project by the United States, we emerge with increased suspicion as to whether the U.S. is truly committed to the supply of LWRs or seeking some filthy political purpose."

The statement was the latest in a series of complaints by Pyongyang about the pace of the nuclear reactor project on North Korea's east coast, but many analysts questioned whether the North would make good on its threat.

Government officials dismissed the possibility. "If so, first of all, the 500,000 tons in fuel oil would not be provided, which would result in the failure of electricity production. North Korea knows well that it would not help the resolution of food shortages and economic reform if tension builds."

In response to Pyongyang's statement, the United States said it would continue to comply with the agreement.

The North Korean move, analysts said, was timed in advance of expected further talks with Washington, which is also expected to demand more verification that Pyongyang is honoring its commitments, making for a rocky dialogue.

Radio Pyongyang said North Korea will also hold the United States responsible if the Mount Kumgang tourism project is halted because of Washington claims that funds paid by South Korean tourists and Hyundai, which operates the tours, would be used for military purposes.

by Ahn Sung-kyoo