North Korea's top negotiator to the six-party nuclear disarmament talks says that, unless Washington makes certain concessions, the Stalinist state will continue operating a nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, some 90 kilometers north of Pyongyang.

Before returning to Pyongyang after this week's recess in the six-way talks, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye-gwan said to Beijing correspondents that the North follows the principle of “action for action” and will not budge before the United States shows action.

He said that Pyongyang is in support of all parties' carrying out the agreements in the last rond's joint statement concurrently.