N Korea still hopes for nuclear deal

North Korea said Friday the country still hopes for a smooth implementation of an aid-for-disarmament deal with the United States and other countries, after failing to meet a year-end deadline to declare its nuclear programmes.
The statement, carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, was the first official North Korean reaction to the missed deadline.
The North's Foreign Ministry claimed that the country drew up a list of its nuclear programs in November, and informed the United States of its contents.
It also claimed that Pyongyang offered explanation to the United States regarding suspicions about its alleged uranium enrichment programme and nuclear cooperation with Syria.