North Korea's agreement to freeze nuclear activities and allow in inspectors, while stirring hopes, echoes past deals that have failed to initiate a sustained denuclearization program, says expert Mark E. Manyin.

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland gave this statement on February 29, 2012 regarding U.S.-North Korea bilateral talks and North Korea's agreement to implement a moratorium on nuclear activities including uranium enrichment.

North Korea's decision to suspend nuclear tests in exchange for U.S. food aid may pave the way for resumption of the Six-Party Talks on denuclearization, but it's unlikely to yield significant progress, says CFR's Scott Snyder.

The Six-Party Talks serve as a forum about North Korea's nuclear weapons program, but the negotiations have been riddled by Pyongyang's belligerence and the differing priorities of the participating nations.

Scott A. Snyder and See-won Byun say that uncertainties regarding a new North Korean leadership will create the context in which China, South Korea, and the United States must grapple with their future options for preserving stability in Northeast Asia.

This week's meeting between U.S., South Korean, and Japanese officials signaled an opening for North Korea to rejoin the suspended talks on its nuclear program. CFR's Scott Snyder discusses the talks and says it's unlikely the dialogue will resume soon.

CNA senior research analyst Ken Gause discusses power politics and the leadership transition in North Korea.

Jerome A. Cohen states that even with Kim Jong-Il's death the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is likely to exist for some time, and the United States should vigorously promote, not impede, its participation in the world.

Paul B. Stares argues that in the wake of Kim Jong-il's death, rather than wait for signs out of Pyongyang, the United States should now signal its interest in developing a more productive relationship with North Korea.

Scott A. Snyder asks, "What are the prospects for a unified, nuclear-free Korea?"

Richard N. Haass says many of the world's bad guys departed the scene this past year, but looking back, 2011 was a year of great transition—not of transformation.

CFR's Scott A. Snyder and Paul B. Stares analyze the effect of the death of Kim Jong-il on North Korea's domestic politics and discuss U.S. policy toward the Korean peninsula.

Elliott Abrams says the longevity of Kim Il-sung's dynasty is the curse of North Korea.

Following the death of leader Kim Jong-il, the transition of power in North Korea could see Pyongyang engaging in further provocative activities, says CFR's Paul Stares.

Will Kim Jong-il's twenty-seven-year-old son assume power in a smooth transition or is a destabilizing succession struggle ahead for reclusive North Korea? CFR's Scott Snyder says the next few weeks will provide crucial signals.

Council on Foreign Relations Media Conference Call on North Korea

CFR's Scott Snyder and Paul Stares discuss the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il and its impact on the country's future, regional stability, and U.S. policy.

Scott A. Snyder discusses the implications of Kim Jong-Il's death.

Kim Jong-il's death has prompted discussion about the future of the isolated country and its nuclear weapons program. Experts cited in this CFR Backgrounder believe a post-Kim regime in North Korea would remain a tough nuclear negotiator.

Former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy, Stephen W. Bosworth, says it is necessary for the United States to continue to engage with North Korea.