N.Korea says will accept nuclear energy inspections

BEIJING (Reuters) – North Korea stood firm on its demand
for nuclear energy on Friday, but said it would accept joint
management and inspections of a light-water reactor.

The statement offered a sign of leeway at six-country talks
in Beijing on North Korea’s nuclear program, which have seen
Pyongyang and Washington at odds over the North’s insistence on
its right to atomic energy.

“Light-water reactor is a measure of trust between the U.S.
and North Korea,” a North Korean official told reporters.

“But in order to dispel U.S. concerns in the provisions of
a light-water reactor, we said we would leave its operation to
joint management and will also accept inspections. So our
demand is not unreasonable,” he said.

But North Korea also tempered its offer with a threat,
saying it would go its own way if no compromise could be found.

“If the U.S. continues to insist that is will not give us a
light-water reactor, which is a measure of trust, then we have
no choice but to continue our own way for our own peaceful
nuclear activities,” the official said.