"I don't think anyone can predict about when," Kim Myong-Gil, North Korea's deputy chief of mission to the United Nations, told South Korea's Yonhap news agency by phone.

"We just hope that it will be resolved soon."

North Korea has refused to start shutting down its Yongbyon reactor, as pledged in a February 13 multinational agreement, until it receives 25 million dollars frozen in a Macau bank following a US blacklisting.

The United States said the funds were unfrozen in March but foreign banks are unwilling to handle the cash as it is seen as tainted.

North Korea apparently wants to make a monetary transfer rather than a withdrawal to prove it has regained access to the international banking system.

Kim reaffirmed that once the banking issue is settled, the government will carry out the first phase of de-nuclearisation under the February deal.

"Our position has been consistent all along," he said. "If (this) problem is solved, then we can enter into the implementation of the agreement."

Kim said further action required by North Korea to declare and disable all of its nuclear programmes, in exchange for energy aid and diplomatic benefits, would then be possible.

"When the first button is done right, then the buttons below it would also be done right," said Kim, using a clothing metaphor.

The US's chief nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill said last week that once the funds were released and the North Koreans shut down Yongbyon, efforts could be made to fast-track the de-nuclearisation process.

Kim also said Hill could visit the North whenever it is convenient.

"He said before that he will visit, and we invited him before that he can come if he wishes," Kim told Yonhap.

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