Steps taken but no 'breakthrough' in nuke talks

The United States and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have made progress but no breakthrough towards settling Pyongyang's long-delayed declaration of its nuclear activities, US envoy Christopher Hill said yesterday.

Six-country talks aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear ambitions have been stalled pending a full accounting of DPRK's nuclear activities, including the plutonium that powered its first and only nuclear test blast in October 2006.

The declaration was due at the end of 2007 after negotiators settled on a deal earlier that year offering DPRK energy and economic aid in return for disarmament steps.