N. Korea OKs Nuclear Surveillance Camera Refills

North Korea has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that inspectors will be allowed to change film and batteries in surveillance cameras at its nuclear facilities within days, a newspaper reported Saturday.

But such a move would fall short of fulfilling international calls for the resumption of full-scale inspections. Also, North Korea had previously told the U.N. watchdog agency it would allow a maintenance crew to make the film and battery changes.

The Saegye Ilbo newspaper, generally regarded as reliable in reports about North Korea, cited an unnamed North Korean official in Vienna for its report.

Hans Blix, director-general of the U.N. watchdog agency, has said unless the film and batteries are replaced promptly, North Korea will have evaded minimal compliance.