By DPA
Seoul : North Korea has refused to dispose of the unused nuclear fuel after it shuts down the reactors at the Yongbyon nuclear site, a South Korean newspaper reported Monday.
The country also refused to destroy a cooling tower at the site, as requested by the US, the Chosun Ilbo daily reported, referring to diplomatic circles in Washington.
North Korea was willing to take the measures only if it received something in return during the shutdown, the paper said.
The US, however, estimated that North Korea might be able to resume operations at the site within three months if the two demands were not met.
During the six-party talks in October, North Korea agreed to disable its most important facilities in Yongbyon, including a five-megawatt nuclear reactor. It had also expressed intentions to dismantle its whole nuclear programme.
In return, the impoverished country was to receive comprehensive economic and energy aid. It was agreed to revoke economic sanctions imposed earlier on the country. The US had also agreed to improve its ties with the country.
Work towards a shutdown of the nuclear facilities at Yongbyon started from cooperation with US experts.
However, experts think North Korea is unlikely to make the deadline because it might take longer than expected to remove the nuclear fuel rods from the reactor.