N. Korean nuclear sites may remain closed

SEOUL, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. and North Korean officials reached a tentative deal that may leave undeclared nuclear sites closed to international inspectors, an official said Friday.

South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan indicated that the deal reached between the two countries comes after U.S. officials called for verification by North Korea that it had followed the guidelines of a June nuclear declaration, the Yonhap News Agency said.

At a press briefing Friday, Yu said the new agreement would result in different inspections that likely would not involve North Korea's undeclared nuclear sites.

"In theory, (the planned verification) is different from the 'special inspection' by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Yu said. "Verification in a foreign nation should be based on that country's consent."

Yu told Yonhap that negotiations were underway regarding ways the international community may gain permission from North Korea to inspect those nuclear sites not detailed in the June declaration.