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N Korea's military seeks US talks N Korea's military seeks US talks
(10 minutes later)
North Korea's military has called for direct talks with US forces to discuss "peace and security on the Korean peninsula", state media reports.North Korea's military has called for direct talks with US forces to discuss "peace and security on the Korean peninsula", state media reports.
The talks, to be attended by a UN representative, could take place at a mutually acceptable place and time, a statement from KCNA news agency said.The talks, to be attended by a UN representative, could take place at a mutually acceptable place and time, a statement from KCNA news agency said.
But it also warned that US pressure could derail a key disarmament deal.But it also warned that US pressure could derail a key disarmament deal.
Under the deal, North Korea agreed to end its nuclear programme in return for fuel aid and political incentives.Under the deal, North Korea agreed to end its nuclear programme in return for fuel aid and political incentives.
UN inspectors are currently heading to North Korea to monitor the shutdown of the North's main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.UN inspectors are currently heading to North Korea to monitor the shutdown of the North's main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.
Peace deal No pressure
North Korea's proposal reportedly came from the chief of the military mission at the truce village of Panmunjom, which is located in the demilitarized zone that divides the two Koreas.North Korea's proposal reportedly came from the chief of the military mission at the truce village of Panmunjom, which is located in the demilitarized zone that divides the two Koreas.
"It is easy to miss a chance, but difficult to get it," the statement said."It is easy to miss a chance, but difficult to get it," the statement said.
But the statement also told the US not to pressurise North Korea "under the pretext of the nuclear issue", warning that it would boost defensive measures if this was the case.But the statement also told the US not to pressurise North Korea "under the pretext of the nuclear issue", warning that it would boost defensive measures if this was the case.
N KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tons 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" New tactics in nuclear dispute Q&A: N Korea standoff N Korea timeline There was no immediate response from the US to the proposal, but US officials have said recently that normalising ties would depend on North Korean co-operation with the disarmament deal.N KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilitiesIn return, will be given 1m tons 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" New tactics in nuclear dispute Q&A: N Korea standoff N Korea timeline There was no immediate response from the US to the proposal, but US officials have said recently that normalising ties would depend on North Korean co-operation with the disarmament deal.
Currently the main forum for discussions between the two nations is the ongoing six-party nuclear talks, which involve South Korea, Japan, China and Russia as well as North Korea and the US. Washington has also said that, if the disarmament process is successful, it would be ready to discuss the possibility of a formal peace treaty to end the Korean War.
However, bilateral talks do sometimes occur on the sidelines of these discussions. Despite a ceasefire being signed to end the conflict in 1953, this has never been replaced by a peace treaty, leaving the peninsula technically in a state of war.
Currently the main forum for discussions between the two nations is the ongoing six-party talks, which involve delegates from South Korea, Japan, China and Russia as well as North Korea and the US.
Bilateral talks do sometimes occur on the sidelines of these discussions, but between political rather than military representatives.
The latest round of six-party talks are set to resume in Beijing on Wednesday.The latest round of six-party talks are set to resume in Beijing on Wednesday.
US and North Korean officers do hold general-level military meetings, over the administration of the ceasefire, but analysts say this latest request by the North is noteworthy because it appears to widen the remit for military discussions.
IAEA missionIAEA mission
UN inspectors have set off for North Korea for the first working visit by an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team since Pyongyang expelled monitors in 2002.UN inspectors have set off for North Korea for the first working visit by an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team since Pyongyang expelled monitors in 2002.
Nine members of the IAEA team left Vienna late on Thursday. They will make a brief stop in Beijing, from where they will fly to North Korea on Saturday. A tenth expert is expected to join the group later.Nine members of the IAEA team left Vienna late on Thursday. They will make a brief stop in Beijing, from where they will fly to North Korea on Saturday. A tenth expert is expected to join the group later.
Leaving Vienna, leader Adel Tolba told the Associated Press news agency that the team members were optimistic about their mission.Leaving Vienna, leader Adel Tolba told the Associated Press news agency that the team members were optimistic about their mission.
"We have a reason to believe that it will be successful," he said."We have a reason to believe that it will be successful," he said.
North Korea - which shocked the world with its first nuclear test in October 2006 - has strongly indicated that it will consider starting to shut down its key nuclear reactor, Yongbyon, as soon as the first shipment of aid arrives.North Korea - which shocked the world with its first nuclear test in October 2006 - has strongly indicated that it will consider starting to shut down its key nuclear reactor, Yongbyon, as soon as the first shipment of aid arrives.
A South Korean vessel carrying aid - 6,200 tons of fuel oil - set sail on Thursday and is due to dock in North Korea's Sonbong port on Saturday.A South Korean vessel carrying aid - 6,200 tons of fuel oil - set sail on Thursday and is due to dock in North Korea's Sonbong port on Saturday.
Under the February deal, North Korea is to receive 50,000 tons of energy aid for closing Yongbyon and another 950,000 tons for closing and dismantling all its nuclear facilities.Under the February deal, North Korea is to receive 50,000 tons of energy aid for closing Yongbyon and another 950,000 tons for closing and dismantling all its nuclear facilities.