(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-31 13:45

WASHINGTON -- The United States remains expecting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to disclose fully its nuclear program as an end-of-year deadline approached, a senior government official said on Sunday.

Sung Kim, Director of the US State Department's Office of Korea Affairs speaks to reporters in Beijing before flying to Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in November 2007. [Agencies]

"Right up until the deadline we are still hoping to see full disclosure from the North Koreans," State Department spokesman Rob McInturff told reporters here.

"If that doesn't happen by midnight (on December 31), we'll reevaluate and look to other options," the spokesman said.

Under an agreement reached in October at the six party talks, the DPRK agreed to disable its key nuclear facilities at the Yongbyon complex, and to declare all other nuclear programs by the end of the year.

US President George W. Bush wrote early this month to DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il, calling for a fully disclose of DPRK nuclear programs.

It was reported that the US-supervised disablement is going well, but may not be completed by year-end for technical reasons related to the removal of fuel rods used to make potentially weapons-grade uranium.

Local media quoted unidentified US officials as reporting that the December 31 deadline for a full declaration may slip into early 2008.

US officials have said they are ready to wait a short while for a full and complete declaration from Pyongyang.