The Hill News

North Korea has agreed to a moratorium on its nuclear tests, long-range missile launches, and uranium enrichment program, the State Department announced Wednesday.

The Department announced that North Korea would cease nuclear tests at its main nuclear facility in Yongbyon.

"The DPRK has also agreed to the return of IAEA inspectors to verify and monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment activities at Yongbyon and confirm the disablement of the 5-MW reactor and associated facilities," The State Department said in a statement.

The announcement cautioned that the U.S. still has "profound concerns" on North Korea's nuclear activities but said the moratorium reflects "progress in addressing some of these" concerns.

Following bilateral talks between United States officials and North Korean officials, in Beijing, the State Department said that the U.S. does not have "hostile intent" toward North Korea and is willing to improve re! lations. In the statement, the State Department also stressed that any sanctions imposed on North Korea are not meant to hurt the "livelihood" of North Koreans.