N. Korea to allow sampling only in next denuclearization phase: news report

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has agreed to allow international
inspectors to take samples from its main nuclear complex, but only after it
enters the next phase of the often-troubled denuclearization process, a news
report said Wednesday.

North Korea and the United States reached the verbal deal early last month when
Washington's chief nuclear envoy Christopher Hill visited Pyongyang to discuss
ways of verifying the reclusive nation's June declaration of its nuclear
stockpile, according to the Kyunghyang Shinmun.
Many expected sampling to be allowed during the current stage.
"The two sides agreed verbally to verification measures including sample-taking
but actual sampling won't be conducted in the (ongoing) second stage," the
newspaper citied an anonymous diplomatic source as saying. "Because verification
takes a lot of time, both North Korea and the U.S. share understanding that a
full-scale verification process such as sample-taking will be possible in the
third phase to dismantle (North Korea's) nuclear program."
The report partly backs a U.S. claim but also deepens concerns that the incoming
U.S. administration will face a daunting task of handling the thorny issue.
Sampling is considered crucial to the assessment of the North's nuclear program
and the planning for dismantling it.
Upon removing North Korea from the list of state sponsors of terrorism last
month, the U.S. State Department said that Pyongyang approved the use of
"scientific procedures, including sampling and forensic activities." The
department did not give a timetable.
North Korea has denied the U.S. claim. The North's Foreign Ministry said last
Wednesday in a statement that verification procedures it reached with Washington
in October were confined to a "field visit, confirmation of documents and
interview with technicians."
The Chosun Sinbo, a newspaper published by a pro-Pyongyang Korean group in Japan,
also said that the U.S. demand for collecting nuclear samples can be discussed
after the delivery of energy aid promised under last year's six-party agreement
is delivered.
South Korean officials say Pyongyang's position is incongruous with the outcome
of its latest bilateral talks with Washington.
Sung Kim, the U.S. special envoy to the nuclear talks, had a separate meeting in
New York earlier this month with Ri Gun, director general of the North Korean
Foreign Ministry's American bureau, to clarify the controversial October
compromise.
"I think North Korea will deliver its new position with nuance, which reflects
Ri's report on the discussions," a senior South Korean Foreign Ministry official
told Yonhap News Agency on the condition of anonymity. "The more important thing
is whether sampling will be included in the six-way agreement on verification
measures, not the timing."
He held hope for the resumption of the six-party talks on the nuclear crisis
before the Christmas season.
If a new round of talks is held, the official said, related parties will try to
adopt a verification protocol and work out a timeline for wrapping up the second
stage in which the North is to disable its Yongbyon nuclear facilities.
In exchange, most of the North's dialogue partners -- South Korea, the U.S.,
China, and Russia -- have shipped heavy oil and energy-related materials. Japan,
the other member of the Beijing-based talks, refuses to participate in the aid
over a dispute involving Japanese civilians kidnapped by Pyongyang decades ago
that remains unresolved.
The outgoing Bush administration aims to complete the protracted second phase
before leaving office, including the establishment of a workable verification
system, so that its successor can focus on the full dismantlement of North
Korea's nuclear program.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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