The Communist nation's funds at Banco Delta Asia have been a sticking point in six-nation talks on the North's nuclear program. The money was to be released in mid-March, but disputes over its transfer have stalled the process, prompting Pyongyang to delay its denuclearization commitment.
The accounts have been unblocked, their owners can receive the money any time, Wendy Au, an official in China's administrative region, said without elaborating.
Under a breakthrough deal in February, North Korea was to close down its Yongbyon reactor by April 14 in exchange for economic and political incentives. But Pyongyang has insisted that the funds, frozen at the request of the U.S. over money laundering and counterfeiting charges, should first be released.
Pyongyang said earlier Wednesday that once the financial dispute has been settled, it would start shutting down the reactor and would complete the process within 30 days, missing a Saturday deadline, foreign media reported.
The reclusive state said it would also allow UN inspectors to monitor its nuclear sites.
