US pays $2.5 million for NKorean nuclear demolition
Updated
![Television crews from five other countries involved in nuclear talks have witnessed the destruction of the reactor's cooling tower. [AFP]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/nkorea_yongbyon_afp_270608.jpg "Television crews from five other countries involved in nuclear talks have witnessed the destruction of the reactor's cooling tower. [AFP]")
Television crews from five other countries involved in nuclear talks have witnessed the destruction of the reactor's cooling tower. [AFP]
North Korea has blown up the cooling tower at its plutonium-producing reactor in a symbolic move to show its commitment to an international nuclear deal.
It came a day after the North submitted an inventory of its atomic programme.
The United States has responded by moving to take the North off its list of state sponsors of terrorism and has issued a proclamation lifting some sanctions under the Trading with the Enemy Act.
North Korea's actions were in line with a deal with South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States to dismantle its nuclear program in return for an easing of its international isolation.
Video footage showed the 20-metre high tower at the Yongbyon nuclear plant being brought down with a blast
The United States says it contributed $US2.5 million for the demolition of the cooling tower.
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said the demolition marked a "first step" towards denuclearisation.
