21.   But the hardline communist state, citing safety and political concerns, has rejected an offer from an international consortium to provide South Korean reactors under the deal.

22.   The new reactors would be provided by an international consortium led by the United States, South Korea and Japan.

23.   The remaining portion of the bill will be shared by Japan, the United States and other countries taking part in an international consortium to provide the reactors.

24.   Under the agreement, the consortium would finance and provide the reactors, as well as ensure a supply of alternate fuel until they are completed.

25.   North Korea hinted this weekend that it would strongly reject a dominant role by South Korea in an international bid to provide safer reactors for its suspected nuclear program.

26.   North Korea closed its controversial nuclear reactor in Yongbyon after the United States promised to provide safe reactors that produce less weapons-grade plutonium.

27.   Science and Technology Minister Kim Si-Joong told parliament that Seoul had opposed the US proposal to provide Russian reactors.

28.   South Korea is to provide the reactors and Japan has pledged it will contribute financially to the four billion dollar project, but no figures have yet been mentioned.

29.   South Korea, the presumed target of the nuclear program, is being asked to shoulder the bulk of the changeover cost and wants to provide the reactors.

30.   South Korea is to foot most of the four-billion-dollar cost of providing the reactors.