North Korea to shut down main nuclear reactor within 60 days

North Korea today agreed to shut down its main nuclear reactor within 60 days and eventually dismantle its atomic weapons programme.

Under the deal at talks with the US and four regional powers, the North will receive an initial 50,000 tonnes worth of aid in heavy fuel oil for shutting down and sealing its main nuclear reactor, to be confirmed by international inspectors, Chinese envoy Wu Dawei said.