N. Korea asks S. Korea to buy unused nuclear fuel rods

North Korea has asked South Korea to purchase its unused nuclear fuel rods during the inter-Korean denuclearization talks held in Beijing on September 22, reported Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Citing sources in Seoul, the paper said that the North's top nuclear envoy Ri Yong-ho requested the South to buy 14,800 rods containing over 1-hundred tons of uranium, in return for Pyeongyang’s suspending of its uranium enrichment which is a precondition to the resumption of the six-party talks. Seoul, however, turned down the proposal as it has agreed with the US and Japan not to negotiate the demands.