North Korea 'to halt nuclear testing' [View all]

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http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0229/breaking34.html

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eader Kim Jong-un in the kitchen of a mess hall during his visit to a unit of the Korean People's Army. Photographs: Tom Farrell and Reuters

North Korea has agreed to a suspension of uranium enrichment and a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests, the United States said today.

The reclusive state has also agreed to allow International Atomic Energy inspectors to verify and monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment and confirm disablement of its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon, the US State Department said.

The United States will meet with North Korea to finalise details for a proposed package of 240,000 metric tons of food aid.

The US announcement paves the way for the possible resumption of six-party disarmament negotiations with Pyongyang and follows talks between US and North Korean diplomats in Beijing last week.