Unification Minister Chung Dong-yong says North Korea can pursue peaceful nuclear development after returning to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and allowing inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In a Wednesday plenary session of the parliamentary committee on unification and foreign affairs, Chung also said the government will not pursue both the two million kilowatts of electricity assistance and the light-water reactor project.

He said the proposed electricity aid to North Korea is contingent on Pyongyang's abandonment of its nuclear program.

The United States is opposed to the North's pursuit of peaceful nuclear activities due to its past practice of using a civilian nuclear reactor for weapon production.

After 13 days of grueling negotiations, the fourth round of the six-nation nuclear talks went into a three-week recess on August 7th without agreement after Pyongyang demanded the right to peaceful nuclear development.