By Michael T. McCaul
Downplaying outside links emboldens terrorists to strike again
SEOUL — U.N. inspectors have verified that North Korea has shut down its sole functioning nuclear reactor, the chief of the watchdog agency said today, confirming the reclusive country had taken its first step in nearly five years to halt production of atomic weapons.
SEOUL — Pyongyang"s recent missile tests are not raising tensions, South Korea"s leading policy-maker on North Korea said yesterday, adding that Seoul is working with concerned governments to resolve the issue of frozen funds that are delaying a nuclear disarmament deal.
South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung said a second shipment of oil departed today for the North on a ship.
"We don"t think this is anything out of the blue; we don"t think it increases tensions," he said.
