But Mr Koizumi got what he went for: five North Korean-born offspring of Japanese abducted by North Korea during the cold war.

ECONOMIST: Japan

Just what is needed from Japan to bring North Korea in from the cold?

ECONOMIST: Japan and North Korea

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) The Cold War still rages in North Korea, and enemy No. 1 is the United States, which Pyongyang blames for making its much-condemned drive to develop nuclear weapons necessary.

NPR: NKorea: Cold War History With US Justifies Nukes

While relations between Russia and North Korea soured at the end of the Cold War, Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, has met the reclusive Mr Kim three times more than any other world leader.

ECONOMIST: Dangerous and nuclear

But Washington insists the missile defence system would be to protect against what it refers to as "rogue nations" such as North Korea, Iran and Iraq -- but not its former Cold War rivals.

CNN: Chirac and Putin

In its write-up of South Korea's statement, The Los Angeles Times assessed that South Korea's acknowledgment of North Korea's murderous aggression will return the region to the days of the Cold War.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: South Korea, North Korea, Israel & Iran

When China and North Korea formed their alliance, the countries were both poor, weak, resentful, isolated, and the target of cold-war containment by the United States and its allies.

CNN: Will China finally 'bite' North Korea?