August 21, 2003	Thursday	Jumadi-us-Sani 22, 1424

SEOUL, Aug 20: North Korea rejected on Wednesday a US-demanded early inspection of its nuclear facilities as “absolutely unacceptable,” toughening its stance ahead of six-nation nuclear crisis talks.

The statement by North’s official news agency (KCNA) came as South Korea’s Foreign Minister warned against expectations of a settlement at next week’s talks in Beijing.

KCNA said Washington was insisting on forming a new team of inspectors from China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States.

“The US demand for an early inspection of the DPRK (North Korea) nuclear facilities is absolutely unacceptable as it is a blatant interference in its internal affairs and an infringement upon its sovereignty,” KCNA said.

“This is little short of demanding the DPRK surrender to it. Surrender means death,” KCNA added.—AFP