North Korea 'destroys' nuclear tower
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il continues his nuclear climbdown
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Friday, 27, Jun 2008 10:59
North Korea has reportedly demolished the cooling tower at its nuclear plant in Yongbyon today.
The move follows the reclusive state's handover of details about its atomic programme yesterday, which led to US president George Bush removing the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Today's demolition will not immediately hamper North Korea's nuclear capabilities as the Yongbyon site has effectively already been dismantled.
But analysts say it holds great propaganda value as a symbol of North Korea's intent – opening up the way to further progress in persuading the Asian state to normalise its relations with the rest of the world.
South Korea media has reported today's demolition although images are not yet available.
The White House has responded with "symbolic acts" of its own, as national security adviser Stephen Hadley told journalists yesterday.
These include taking North Korea off the terrorism sponsor list and lifting restrictions on the country in the trading with the enemy act.