By DPA
Manila : The United States' chief negotiator in North Korean disarmament talks said Friday he expects the "roadblock" to Pyongyang's promised shutdown of its Yongbyon nuclear reactor to be resolved this month.
US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said steps were being taken to resolve the technical problems hampering the release of once-frozen North Korean funds in a Macao bank, a key component of a February agreement with the reclusive state.
"Obviously we have run into some very difficult, technical, regulatory, legal issues involving this banking matter and we are making progress on it," Hill told reporters.
Asked if the matter could be resolved within the month, Hill said, "I think so, yes."
North Korea missed a deadline to shut down its nuclear reactor last month, refusing to take action until it receives the $25 million frozen in Macao's Banco Delta Asia.
The funds were frozen after the US blacklisted the bank two years ago. The money has since been freed, but the transfer has been delayed because other banks have been reluctant to assist North Korea in withdrawing them.
Hill said Washington hopes North Korea would meet its commitment once it receives the money.
"North Korea has continued to signal to us, privately and publicly, and most recently last night, that as soon as the banking matter is resolved, they will move quickly to implement their part of the deal which is to get the Yongbyon facility shut down," he said.
"They said they will move very quickly to get the international inspectors in and to shut down and seal these facilities," he added. "I'm expecting it very soon. I expected that last month and I hope that we can get this done this month as well."
Hill was in Manila to attend preparatory meetings for a summit in August of the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia's largest security bloc, which includes the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its dialogue partners.