North Korea has said it could disable a five-megawatt nuclear reactor and reprocessing facility in Yongbyon first as it takes steps to carry out the six-party denuclearization agreement reached February 13th.

According to diplomatic sources, the North made the suggestion at the six-way working group meeting on denuclearization, which is under way in the Chinese city of Shenyang.

North Korea said that it wants to first shut down the reprocessing facility's radiochemical lab in Yongbyon, since it must remove eight thousand fuel rods as the starting point of the nuclear disablement while preventing radioactive contamination.

Negotiators will hold a general meeting to discuss the North Korean suggestion in detail Friday afternoon.

The working group talks can be extended one more day to Saturday if necessary.