North Korean Talks On Its Nuclear Program Are Breaking Down

North Koreans participate in celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of North Korea in Pyongyang, September 9, 2008. REUTERS/Kyodo

North Korea Nuclear Deal Could Break Down: Seoul -- Reuters

SEOUL (Reuters) - International talks on ending North Korea's nuclear arms ambitions could be heading for a breakdown after Pyongyang said it would restore a plutonium- making plant, South Korea's foreign minister said on Friday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said on Wednesday that the North was expelling U.N. monitors from its Soviet-era nuclear plant and plans to start reactivating it next week, rolling back a disarmament-for-aid deal and putting pressure on Washington.

"We are at a difficult situation where we may be going back to square one," Yu Myung-hwan said at an academic seminar.

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More News on North Korea

NKorea nuke talks may be close to breakdown: SKorea -- AFP
Far-Reaching U.S. Plan Impaired N. Korea Deal -- Washington Post
U.S. demands upset N.Korea nuclear deal - report -- Reuters India
North Koreans Bar Inspectors at Nuclear Site -- New York Times
North Korean nuclear plant seals removed -- CNN
North Korea claims to be restarting nuclear reactor -- Christian Science Monitor
North Korea army threatens South and region: Seoul -- Washington Post
N Korea warned over nuclear move -- BBC

My Comment: The sticking point has always been verification. The North Koreans do not want inspections. A closed society cannot tolerate outsiders who want to come in .... and North Kora has a lot to hide from the outside world, even from their allies like the Chinese.