The government is said to be drawing up a plan to complete first-stage implementation measures under February's six-party nuclear agreement, once a dispute over the transfer of North Korean funds from a Macao bank is settled.

A number of diplomatic sources said Thursday that Seoul believes Pyongyang will be able to implement the “initial steps” in accordance with the six-way agreement within one month after the resolution of the Banco Delta Asia issue.

Seoul’s projection is based on the views of various experts that it will likely take two weeks for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to arrive in the North after the BDA issue is resolved. It is expected to take two more weeks to shut down and seal Pyongyang’s nuclear facilities.

Among the initial steps outlined in the six-party deal, those awaiting implementation are the North’s shutdown of its nuclear facilities, the listing of all its nuclear programs and the provision of 50-thousand tons of heavy fuel oil for the North.

Seoul, which is in charge of providing the heavy fuel oil, plans to complete deliveries within one month after Pyongyang confirms that the BDA issue has been resolved.