DATE=12/31/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NOKOR / INSPECTORS OUT - S

NUMBER=2-297931

BYLINE=AMY BICKERS

DATELINE=TOKYO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Two U-N nuclear inspectors have arrived in Beijing after being expelled from North Korea early Tuesday. As V-O-A's Amy Bickers reports, their departure aggravates efforts to resolve the current crisis over the North's resurgent nuclear ambitions.

TEXT: The two inspectors from the U-N International Atomic Energy Agency had no comment on North Korea's nuclear program as they arrived in Beijing Tuesday.

The communist North on Friday ordered the two monitors to leave, depriving the U-N atomic agency of its ability to assess the North's moves this month to reopen its Yongbyon nuclear complex. Experts say the facility could be capable of making weapons within months.

The international community has warned Pyongyang to reverse course and honor its treaty commitments to nuclear non-proliferation.

North Korea has hinted it may withdraw from the international treaty seeking to ban the spread of nuclear weapons. Moves to re-open the Yongbyon nuclear plant also violate a 1994 accord with the United States.

The I-A-E-A holds an emergency meeting Monday at its Vienna headquarters to discuss the next step and will submit a report to the U-N governing body detailing the North's violations of its nuclear agreements. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/AB/JO