The six nations reached an agreement in September 2005, creating a framework for gradually reducing the North's arsenal, while normalizing its relations with Japan,the United States, and South Korea.Since then,however, North Korea has conducted two nuclear weapons tests.

VOA: standard.2009.12.11

Mr.Wen says the strongest impression he got from his three days in Pyongyang was that North Korea not only hopes to improve relations with the United States, but also hopes to have better ties with South Korea and Japan.

VOA: standard.2009.10.10

Mixed up with the question of how to deal with North Korea are South Korea's relations with America.

ECONOMIST: Elections in the chill from the North

But China does not want its ties with recalcitrant North Korea to upset relations with more important countries South Korea, Japan and America.

ECONOMIST: Korean thaw | The

South Korea's Unification Ministry, responsible for relations with North Korea, put the burden on Pyongyang.

WSJ: North Korea Suspends Operations at Kaesong Industrial Complex