N.Korean Denuclearization 'Could Take up to 15 Years'

A prominent nuclear expert has warned that North Korea's denuclearization could take up to 15 years.

The New York Times on Monday said Siegfried Hecker revealed a roadmap for denuclearization after dividing the process of dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons into three stages.

They are a "halt of military, industrial and personnel operations," followed by a "winding down of sites, facilities and weapons" and "the elimination or limiting of factories and programs."

The first stage is expected to take a year, the second between two and five years and the third six to 10 years, according to Hecker.

"Dr. Hecker's time frame stands in stark contrast with what the United States initially demanded, on what could be a key sticking point in any summit meeting between President [Donald] Trump and Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader," the NYT said.