US to remove North Korea from terror blacklist

The US has announced its to remove North Korea from its blacklist of states sponsoring terrorism. Washington’s attempts to salvage a deal over North Korea’s de-nuclearisation had been faltering. But, the trade off comes after North Korea agreed to a series of US demands allowing experts access to its nuclear facilities.

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: ‘‘Every element of verification that we sought is included in this package, it’s an important point. Every single thing that we sought going in, is part of this package. ‘‘Based on the cooperation and agreements North Korea has recently provided and the fact that the DPRK has met the statutory criteria for rescission, Secretary of State this morning rescinded the designation of the DPRK as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Earlier, the communist countries state TV released pictures of leader Kim jong-il, seemingly fit and healthy.

Last month, rumours surfaced the so called ‘Dear Leader’ had suffered a stroke.

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