NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports that the Bush administration is reevaluating the 1994 U.S. agreement with North Korea, known as 'The Agreed Framework.' North Korea agreed to shut down and eventually dismantle its nuclear weapons program. In return, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea would provide the North with light-water nuclear reactors for generating electricity. But North Korea's electrical grid can't handle the light reactors, and that raises safety concerns. Light reactors also produce plutonium, which can be used in nuclear weapons. So, the U.S. hopes to persuade North Korea to accept conventional power generating plants instead.
Copyright 2001 NPR