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The U.S. Congress has estimated that it will cost the country US$575 million over the four years from 2009 to dismantle and replace North Korea¡¯s nuclear facilities, Radio Free Asia reported Thursday. The estimate in a recent budget report is based on the assumption that the North would dismantle the Yongbyon nuclear reactor and a nuclear fuel-rod plant.
This breaks down to $300 million for 2009, $200 million for 2010, $50 million for 2011, and $25 million for 2012. It also includes the costs of removing spent fuel rods, from which plutonium can be extracted, to a third country for disposal.
Congress compiled the report based on information supplied by the State Department and the Department of Energy, the two U.S. government agencies in charge of overseeing North Korea's nuclear dismantlement. RFA added the report does not mention dismantlement of nuclear weapons or any uranium enrichment program.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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