Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev reaffirmed that Russia is prepared to help North Korea convert its nuclear industry to a safer technology.


"Russia maintains its intention to provide assistance to North Korea in converting its nuclear plants from graphite-moderated, heavy-water reactors to light-water," Kozyrev said, speaking Friday at a session of the


State Duma, the parliament's lower house.


The conversion would make it more difficult for North Korea to make nuclear weapons. North Korea itself has requested a light-water reactor.


Kozyrev said he expected that North Korea would soon be ready to continue talks with the United States and South Korea on its nuclear program as the country emerges from a period of national mourning after the recent death of its leader Kim Il-sung.