KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Mohamed El Baradei said hereon Wednesday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)had shut down all its five nuclear facilities, adding it was a very good and positive step.

    The IAEA had verified that all the five nuclear facilities had been shut down and proper measures had been in place, including sealing some of the facilities, he told reporters after attending a public lecture organized by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

    Yet, the IAEA chief stressed that it was just the first step and the journey to a comprehensive solution to the nuclear issue of the Korea Peninsular was still far.

    The IAEA will continue to apply necessary monitoring and verification measures in the next few weeks, he said, adding he hoped to see the DPRK declare its inventory of nuclear material and facilities soon.