Aso: N.Korea should act within 1 week
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso has suggested that North Korea should implement the initial steps toward dismantling its nuclear program in about a week or could face further sanctions.North Korea has not suspended its nuclear reactor and has not accepted UN nuclear inspectors more than 3 weeks after the deadline for the initial steps, citing the delay in receiving its funds that had been frozen at a Macau bank.Speaking at a Lower House committee on Wednesday, Mr Aso said it's difficult to see whether the North intends to implement the initial steps after it receives the money or is just dragging its feet.He said that he is becoming increasingly doubtful whether the North will really act after the transfer of the funds is completed.Mr Aso said that the time will come for Japan to begin consultations with the countries concerned on how to deal with the North, including the possibility of imposing further sanctions if North Korea does not implement the initial steps in about a week.