"Based on our specialists' evaluations, it will take one month to technically shut down the reactor. This way, we expect to seal it in accordance with agreements reached at six-party talks in the second half of July 2007," the official was quoted as saying.

North Korea had refused to move on its February pledge to shut down the Yongbyon reactor until it received about US$25 million (EUR18.7 million) in funds that were frozen in a Macau bank. The U.S. accused Banco Delta Asia of helping North Korea's government pass fake US$100 bills and launder money from weapons sales.

The transfer of the frozen North Korean funds is now nearing completion, and North Korea on Saturday invited inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit - the first concrete sign of a breakthrough in the stalemate over its nuclear program. Pravda.ru