U.S. Seeking a Look-See

The United States has decided to inspect facilities in North Korea suspected of having produced nuclear material for weapons in the past, a high-ranking official in Seoul said Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

"The Bush administration, which is reviewing its North Korea policies, has said North Korean missile development and its past nuclear production are urgent matters to be tackled," the official explained.

North Korea is thought to have generated enough plutonium prior to 1992 to make one or two nuclear weapons. The United States wants the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect the sites which produced that plutonium.

The official added that delays in the construction of light-water reactors, originally to be completed by 2003, had contributed to the U.S. decision to conduct the inspection.

The 1994 agreed framework does not set a date for the inspection, but reads "when a significant portion of the LWR project is completed, but before delivery of key nuclear components, the DPRK will come into full compliance with its safeguards agreement with the IAEA."

Exactly how Washington intends to inspect the sites is still unclear.

The United States is reviewing the possibility of providing electricity and electricity-distribution facilities as inducements to combat the anticipated backlash from Pyongyang.

In addition to closely examining the North's former nuclear facilities, the Bush administration will reportedly discuss amending the 1994 Agreed Framework to prevent the North from developing nuclear weapons in the future at the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group. Washington will reportedly propose to South Korea and Japan replacing the promised light-water reactors, from which plutonium could be extracted, with thermal power plants.

The United States is also expected to push for the access necessary to monitor the North's missile development, resumption of dialogue with Pyongyang and the North's entry into international financial organizations.

by Ahn Sung-kyoo