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US envoy Hill visits North Korea US envoy Hill visits North Korea
(10 minutes later)
US envoy Christopher Hill has flown to North Korea amid speculation that international talks on Pyongyang's nuclear programme could soon restart.US envoy Christopher Hill has flown to North Korea amid speculation that international talks on Pyongyang's nuclear programme could soon restart.
It is his first visit to the secretive state, and comes after the resolution of a long-standing dispute over US financial sanctions.It is his first visit to the secretive state, and comes after the resolution of a long-standing dispute over US financial sanctions.
On Wednesday, Mr Hill said he expected the six-party talks to resume in July.On Wednesday, Mr Hill said he expected the six-party talks to resume in July.
They had been held up by a dispute over North Korean funds frozen in Macau, but this now seems to have been resolved.They had been held up by a dispute over North Korean funds frozen in Macau, but this now seems to have been resolved.
Funding rowFunding row
Mr Hill left for Pyongyang from an air force base near Seoul early on Friday.Mr Hill left for Pyongyang from an air force base near Seoul early on Friday.
He is scheduled to have two days of talks on the long-delayed agreement to shut down the North's nuclear weapons programme. N KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to 'shut down and seal' Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tonnes of heavy fuel oilN Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor dealUnder earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treatyN Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at "appropriate time" class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm">Q&A: Nuclear standoff He is scheduled to have two days of talks on the long-delayed agreement to shut down the North's nuclear weapons programme.
Mr Hill said he wanted to speed up the process following recent delays.Mr Hill said he wanted to speed up the process following recent delays.
According to the BBC correspondent in Seoul, Charles Scanlon, the visit underlines the new, more conciliatory approach to North Korea being taken by the Bush administration.According to the BBC correspondent in Seoul, Charles Scanlon, the visit underlines the new, more conciliatory approach to North Korea being taken by the Bush administration.
Mr Hill is the most senior US official to visit the country in five years.Mr Hill is the most senior US official to visit the country in five years.
Washington has long rejected bilateral negotiations with North Korea, favouring six-party talks involving the whole region.Washington has long rejected bilateral negotiations with North Korea, favouring six-party talks involving the whole region.
But now it seems happy to do both simultaneously, our correspondent says.But now it seems happy to do both simultaneously, our correspondent says.
The new urgency is a result of North Korea's test of a nuclear device last October.The new urgency is a result of North Korea's test of a nuclear device last October.
American officials say they want to find out the North's real intentions following its agreement in February to "shut down and seal" its nuclear reactor in return for economic aid.American officials say they want to find out the North's real intentions following its agreement in February to "shut down and seal" its nuclear reactor in return for economic aid.
Progress on that agreement has been slow in recent months, largely due to a row over North Korean funds frozen in a Macau back. North Korea has pledged to shut down its main reactor at YongbyonProgress on that agreement has been slow in recent months, largely due to a row over North Korean funds frozen in a Macau back.
The North Koreans insisted they would not move forward on the nuclear deal until they had received the money, but it took a long time for the funds to be transferred.The North Koreans insisted they would not move forward on the nuclear deal until they had received the money, but it took a long time for the funds to be transferred.
Mr Hill announced on Tuesday that the money had finally been delivered to a North Korean bank account in Russia, and both sides now seem keen to return to the negotiating table.Mr Hill announced on Tuesday that the money had finally been delivered to a North Korean bank account in Russia, and both sides now seem keen to return to the negotiating table.
Last weekend the North invited international inspectors to discuss shutting down its one functioning nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.Last weekend the North invited international inspectors to discuss shutting down its one functioning nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.
The inspectors are due to arrive in Pyongyang next week - their first visit since they were forced out of the country in 2002.The inspectors are due to arrive in Pyongyang next week - their first visit since they were forced out of the country in 2002.