BEIJING, December 18 (RIA Novosti) - North Korea demanded Monday that the UN and the U.S. lift their sanctions, and that the construction of a light-water nuclear reactor in the country be resumed, before it agrees to consider nuclear disarmament.
Addressing the six-party negotiations on the reclusive communist state's nuclear program, which resumed in the Chinese capital Monday after a 13-month standoff, Pyongyang's chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Kye-gwan, demanded that the United States officially end its "hostile policy" and unfreeze Pyongyang's bank accounts.
A source close to the talks said: "They [North Korea] want the sanctions to be lifted, and diplomatic relations with the United States to be established."
Following North Korea's October 9 announcement that it had conducted its first nuclear bomb test, the UN Security Council passed a special resolution October 14 blocking all deliveries of military equipment and supplies to the country.
Four years ago, the United States suspended work on a light-water nuclear reactor it was building in North Korea under a 1994 agreement, citing North Korea's refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
As well as resumed construction, North Korea is seeking fuel supplies for its power stations, until the light-water nuclear reactor is completed, to meet its electricity needs.
The six-party talks, involving North and South Korea, Russia, Japan, China and the U.S., were initially launched in 2003 after Pyongyang withdrew from the NPT.
At the fifth round held in September 2005, Pyongyang agreed to abandon its nuclear program in exchange for aid and security guarantees, and the sides adopted a joint statement.
The statement confirmed North Korea's right to conduct peaceful nuclear research. Pyongyang, in turn, pledged to give up its nuclear weapons program and rejoin the NPT. But the country later boycotted further meetings, in protest against Washington's financial sanctions.
The other five negotiating sides now want to North Korea to take clear steps to implement the September 2005 joint statement.
Late last year, the U.S. accused North Korea of printing fake dollars and laundering money through foreign banks, and ordered a Macao-based bank to freeze North Korean accounts holding $24 million.
Talks on unfreezing Pyongyang's bank accounts are expected begin in Beijing Tuesday, after the arrival of North Korea's financial delegation, led by the country's Central Bank chief.
