Geneva accord with N. Korea won`t be changed much

The Geneva framework agreement between North Korea and the United States that calls for giving two light-water reactors in return for a freeze of the North Korean nuclear development program is unlikely to undergo a noticeable change in the new North Korea policy being worked out by the Bush administration. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his confirmation, U.S. assistant secretary of state-designate for East Asia and Pacific Affairs James Kelley said Thursday that the contents of the Geneva accord are unlikely to be overturned under the new North Korea policy that is now in the closing stage of review.

His statement suggests the difficulty of the demand being raised by some Republicans to replace one nuclear reactor with a thermal plant. All possible options were being studied in the review for a new North Korea policy and they had not ruled out contact or negotiation with North Korea, he added.

Han Ki-Heung eligius@donga.com