Kim: Nuke pledges must be honored

PYONGYANG: Kim Jong-il, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), yesterday urged the countries involved in a pact committing Pyongyang to dismantling its nuclear program to follow through on their initial pledges.

He made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who conveyed a message and greetings from President Hu Jintao.

"Recently, there have been signs that the situation on the Korean Peninsula has eased," Kim told Yang.