ROK denies wrongdoing amid nuclear probe

The government said it was fully cooperating with inspectors from the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that is preparing to depart Saturday after concluding a week-long inspection.

Revelations that scientists in South Korea had enagaged in clandestine uranium enrichment four years ago, albeit in microscopic quantities, emerged at a time when Seoul is playing a leading role in efforts to end North Korea's nuclear weapons drive.

"It is embarrassing for us to face this issue at a time when the six-way talks are in a stalemate," an unnamed government official told reporters.