Under the deal, the DPRK will receive initial aid equal to 50,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil for shutting down and sealing its main nuclear reactor and related facilities at Yongbyon, north of the capital, to be confirmed by international inspectors, according to Chinese envoy Wu Dawei. The DPRK will eventually receive additional 950,000 tonnes in aid for irreversibly disabling the reactor, he said.

The Chinese envoy said the DPRK and the United States also will embark on talks aimed at resolving disputes and restarting diplomatic relations.

After the initial 60 days, a joint meeting will be convened of foreign ministers from all countries at the talks - China, Japan, Russia, the United States and the two Koreas.

Another meeting of the nuclear envoys was scheduled March 19 to check on the groups' progress.

VOVNews/AP