But Hill said he could not estimate how long it would take to reach that goal.
"That is very difficult to assess," Hill said. He said the wary North Koreans "prefer small steps," and pointed out that they had shut down their rickety Yongbyon nuclear facility only "because we moved them along."
Hill's answer underscored the uncertainty still surrounding the multinational deal. U.S. and North Korean diplomats are trying to work out a process for verifying disclosures in June by North Korea about its nuclear activities and assets. But many experts on North Korea remain skeptical that Pyongyang will ever be willing to entirely close down a program it believes has guaranteed the security of the regime.
The hearing signaled the widely varying reactions to the deal. Although many conservatives are deeply unhappy with the agreement, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), a staunch conservative, told Hill that "it looks like you're beginning to make some progress."
At the same time, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said he was worried an administration decision to drop North Korea from the U.S. list of governments that sponsor terrorism might have been "premature."
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paul.richter@latimes.com
