Embassy of the United States

North Korea agrees to disable nuclear facilities by December 31

03 October 2007

Washington -- The latest session of the Six-Party Talks concluded October 3 with the release of a statement outlining a second phase of actions to implement the parties' Joint Statement of September 19, 2005, the goal of which is the verifiable elimination of nuclear programs from the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

The talks were held in Beijing September 27-30 and included representatives of China, North Korea, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States. 

The parties:

• listened to and endorsed the reports of their five working groups;
• confirmed the implementation of the initial actions provided for in the February 13 "Denuclearization Action Plan";
• agreed to push forward the Six-Party Talks process in accordance with the consensus reached at the meetings of the working groups; and
• reached agreement on second-phase actions for the implementation of the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005.

Specifically, North Korea agreed to disable all existing nuclear facilities subject to abandonment under the September 2005 Joint Statement and the February 13 agreement.

At the request of the other parties, the United States will lead disablement activities and provide the initial funding for those activities. As a first step, the U.S. side will lead an expert group to North Korea within the next two weeks to prepare for disablement.

Second, North Korea agreed to provide a complete and correct declaration of all its nuclear programs, in accordance with the February 13 agreement, by December 31.

Finally, North Korea reaffirmed its commitment not to transfer nuclear materials, technology or know-how.

With regard to the normalization of relations between the parties, North Korea and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to improving bilateral relations and moving toward a full diplomatic relationship. The two sides will increase bilateral exchanges and seek to enhance mutual trust.

North Korea and Japan also agreed to make sincere efforts to normalize their relations.

In accordance with the February 13 agreement, economic, energy and humanitarian assistance up to the equivalent of 1 million tons of heavy fuel oil (including the 100,000 tons already delivered) will be provided to North Korea.

The parties reiterated that the Six-Party Ministerial Meeting will be held in Beijing at an appropriate time and agreed to hold a heads-of-delegation meeting prior to the Ministerial Meeting to discuss the agenda.

agreement on second-phase actions, the February 13 Denuclearization Action Plan and the September 2005 Joint Statement are available on the State Department Web site., the February 13 and the September 2005 are available on the State Department Web site.