North Korea ready to disarm - 14 November, 2005

North Korea has proposed a five-step plan to give up its nuclear weapons program, a top South Korea official confirmed Monday.

However, the plan was said to appear contingent upon Pyongyang getting the aid it is demanding. It was believed to be the first time North Korea has detailed an action plan.

South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young told reporters in Seoul that Pyongyang presented a five-point plan during last week's six-nation meeting in Beijing.

From his words the North Korea says it would halt plans for a nuclear test and refrain from transferring nuclear materials or technology. Later, the nation would formally end construction of any more nuclear weapons, and eventually dismantle its nuclear programs under international supervision.

As a final step, North Korea would return to the global Non-Proliferation Treaty it withdrew from in January 2003, UPI reports.

V.Y.