11.   Five technical site surveys have been conducted.

12.   But there was no confirmation that South Korea was refusing to send a new team to the North for a site survey.

13.   It will take between eight months and a year to complete site selection, Yim said, adding that two full-fledged inspections would follow the first site survey.

14.   KEDO will conduct a site survey to identify the requirements for construction and operation of the LWR project.

15.   The first site surveys for the new LWRs, to be mainly funded by South Korea, are now underway at Shinpo on the northeast coast of North Korea.

16.   The engineers have, however, already carried out several site surveys without incident and officials have said groundwork can start within months when the protocols have been finalized.