Washington, Mar 1 (IANS): North Korea agreeing to suspend its nuclear activities is "a modest first step", said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday.
"Today's announcement represents a modest first step in the right direction," Xinhua quoted Clinton as telling the Senate.
On Wednesday, North Korea announced it would suspend nuclear tests, long-range missile launches, and uranium enrichment activity as agreed with the US in recent bilateral talks.
North Korea said it would also allow UN inspectors to monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment "while productive dialogues continue".
In a statement released earlier Wednesday, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland described the development as " important, if limited, progress," despite Washington's ongoing "profound concerns" regarding North Korea's moves.