DPRK N-plant to be shut down 'soon'

The chief US envoy for the nuclear disarmament talks with the Democratic People Republic of Korea (DRPK) said yesterday that the country's nuclear facilities could be shut down and inspected by the UN nuclear watchdog in the next few weeks.

"Even though we are behind the timeline set out in February, we believe we have some possibility of making up," US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said in Beijing after talking with Chinese diplomats.

"Today I have completed some useful discussions with my Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei and reviewed the six-party process," Hill said.