Parties to the six-way nuclear talks have agreed to urge North Korea to dismantle rather than freeze its nuclear facilities in the next round of the dialogue.

Government and diplomatic sources close to the talks also said Pyongyang will be asked to dismantle not only its five megawatt reactor in Yongbyon but also four other facilities.

The talks are expected to resume on February 8th.

The four are a nuclear fuel rod plant, a radioactive chemical laboratory and a 50-megawatt and a 200-megawatt reactors under construction.

One source said South Korea, the United States and China want more than a freeze to prevent resumption of operations at the facilities.

If North Korea agrees to nuclear dismantlement and an implementation plan, the dismantlement process could follow quickly.

A rough battle is expected, however, over the drafting of the implementation plan.