N Korea 'lists steps to disarm'

The last round of six-party talks failed to make significant progress

North Korea has suggested a five-point plan under which it could dismantle its nuclear weapons programme, according to the South Korean unification minister.

The North reportedly made the proposal at six-nation talks on the nuclear crisis last week.

But the offer is unlikely to satisfy the US, which has insisted that the North irreversibly scrap its programme immediately, not freeze it first.

The various parties to the talks have agreed to meet again soon.

SEPTEMBER AGREEMENT N Korea to abandon all nuclear weapons and programmes N Korea to return to nuclear treaty and UN monitoring US states it has no intention of attacking N Korea N Korea says it has right to "peaceful" nuclear energy" N Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at "appropriate time" Full text of agreement

During last week's talks - which involved North and South Korea, the US, Russia, China and Japan - delegates discussed how to implement a statement of principles, agreed in September, that the North would give up its nuclear programme in exchange for energy assistance and other benefits.

South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said on Monday that the North's response to this was a five-point proposal which involved:

• Stopping weapons testing
• Stopping the production and transfer of nuclear material
• Freezing its nuclear facility
• Dismantling its nuclear programmes
• Returning to international non-proliferation agreements

Mr Chung said the plan showed the North was serious about giving up its nuclear weapons.

But Washington has insisted that a nuclear freeze is unacceptable. There is also dispute about who makes the first move in resolving the crisis - the North, or the US.

The North repeated at the weekend its insistence that the US give concessions before it responds.

"We will never move first," Vice-Foreign Minister Kim Gye-gwan told the Associated Press.

The nuclear dispute began in late 2002, when the US accused North Korea of having a uranium-based nuclear arms programme, in violation of international agreements.