US-DPRK tension heightened

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 04-17-2009 14:26

The United States says that American experts working at the DPRK's nuclear plant have been asked to leave the country. The move is further heightening tension after the DPRK's rocket launch earlier this month.

State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters that the US officials monitoring the DPRK'S disablement of Yongbyon nuclear plant are preparing to leave.

State Department spokesman Robert Wood said, "The US government experts and staff, monitoring the shutdown and disablement of the Yongbyon facilities have been asked by North Korea authorities to depart the DPRK.

Our team on the ground is making preparations to leave; we are discussing next steps in this matter with the DPRK. The IAEA informed members of the board of governors on Tuesday that the DPRK had decided to cease all cooperation immediately with the IAEA and requested IAEA inspectors to leave the DPRK at the earliest possible time. We refer you to the IAEA regarding the current status of their experts in Yongbyon."

Editor:Zhang Yun