Media reports from Asia say North Korea is expected to submit along-awaited declaration of its nuclear activities and stockpiles thisweek.
Quoting diplomatic sources who are meeting in Beijing todiscuss Pyongyang's nuclear program, Japan's Kyodo news agency andSouth Korea's both say the declaration will be handedover to Chinese nuclear negotiators Thursday.
The declaration isa key part of efforts aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear weaponsprogram. Reports also say the United States has agreed to begin theprocess of dropping North Korea from a terrorism blacklist once thedeclaration is submitted.
On Sunday, South Korea's chief nuclearnegotiator announced that North Korea was inviting media organizationsfrom five countries to provide live coverage of the destruction of acooling tower at its main nuclear facility.
Kim Sook toldreporters that North Korea invited media organizations from each one ofthe country's involved in the six-party talks (United States, China,Russia, Japan and South Korea) and that it would include U.S. newschannel CNN.
South Korean media say the North will blow up thecooling tower one day after handing over the declaration. Reports alsosay Pyongyang is demanding cash from other countries to coverdemolition costs.