Pyongyang N-scientists defect to US: Aussie Daily

UP to 20 high-ranking North Korean military officers and nuclear scientists have defected to the US and its allies under a plan involving several countries including the Pacific state of Nauru, The Weekend Australian said on Saturday.

The defections began last October after 11 countries agreed to provide consular protection to smuggle N Koreans from China. The man seen as the father of N Korea’s nuclear programme, Kyong Won-ha, was believed to be among the defectors.

Meanwhile, North Korea signalled on Saturday it was ready for talks on its suspected atomic programme after confusion over whether it tried to scupper negotiations by saying it was reprocessing 8,000 fuel rods to make nuclear bombs. The US said the statement might have been mistranslated.

Jo Myong-rok, first vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, would visit Beijing from April 21- 23.