Macau finance minister Francis Tam confirmed Thursday that Banco Delta Asia has remitted most of the $25 million in funds that the bank has held since 2005.
North Korea has refused to honor a February deal to begin shutting down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor until the funds are released.
Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Christopher Hill said earlier that he was hopeful the financial dispute would be resolved soon.
The money was frozen in 2005, after the United States alleged the Macau bank was tied to money laundering by North Korea.
Washington agreed to allow the transfer of the funds in March. However, third-country banks have been reluctant to get involved in moving the funds. Russia Wednesday said it is not opposed to participating in the transfer of the funds. - VOA News
