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Byline: LEE JONG-HEON
SEOUL, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Massive energy and economic aid which would be given to North Korea under Tuesday's nuclear deal is a birthday bonanza for supreme leader Kim Jong Il, who has suffered from pressure and sanctions following Pyongyang's nuclear test last October.
South Korean analysts expect the North to use the landmark deal to praise the "brilliant leadership" of the "Great General" who greets his 65th birthday on Friday, noting that it comes as North Korea is gearing up for gala functions for Kim's birthday -- described in the country as "the most festive national holiday."
"The nuclear deal could be considered in North Korea as a diplomatic and economic victory (over the United States)," said Nam Sung-wook, a North Korea professor at Korea University in Seoul.
Under a ground-breaking agreement announced at the end of week-long six-nation talks in Beijing, North Korea will be given up to one million tons of heavy fuel oil and equivalent energy as well as other economic and diplomatic benefits.
The North will receive 50,000 tons of fuel oil when its takes its initial steps to shut down the Yongbyon nuclear facility within 60 days, according to the Initial Actions for the Implementation of the Joint Statement.
The energy-starved nation will receive an additional 950,000 tons of heavy fuel oil or other equivalent as soon as it completes "disabling" the nuclear facilities by an unspecified date.