N. Korea Reaffirms Nuclear Commitment

North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chin speaks during the signing of an accord to bolster diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the reclusive state in Manila on Sunday July 29, 2007. With North Korea easing out of the spotlight, foreign ministers at Asia's top security forum will be able to focus better on a heavy agenda that ranges from fighting terrorism to dealing with disasters. Pak is in the country to attend the 14th asean regional forum, Asia's largest security forum, on Aug. 2. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (Aaron Favila - AP)

MANILA, Philippines -- North Korea's new foreign minister reaffirmed his country's commitment to ending its nuclear weapons program, an official said Sunday.

Pak Ui Chun, however, did not specify when North Korea would disable its nuclear facilities, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Claro Cristobal said.

Pak, who is making his first overseas trip since becoming foreign minister in May, is in Manila to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia's largest security organization.

North Korea shut down its Yongbyon reactor earlier this month under a February agreement reached in six-nation talks on its nuclear program, the first tangible progress after years of negotiations.

In return, it has begun receiving 50,000 tons of oil from South Korea and is to eventually receive the equivalent of a total of 1 million tons for disabling all its nuclear facilities.

However, the latest round of nuclear talks ended earlier this month without any target date for disabling the facilities.

In a meeting Sunday with Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Pak did not specify a date, but said his country "is committed to the agreement signed in February to move forward the denuclearzation of the Korean peninsula," Cristobal said.

"The six-party talks have been producing good progress," he quoted Pak as saying.

Pak also reiterated his country's long-standing position that a principle of "action for action" should be followed for the successful implementation of the February accord, with each side taking steps in response to the other's, Cristobal said.