BusinessWeek Logo
Playing Games with the West?

Getty Images

By Moon Ihlwan

Playing Games with the West?

North Korea is notorious for creating a crisis when it wants to squeeze concessions from the international community. Although North Korean officials have expressed hopes for better relations with the U.S. under President-elect Barack Obama, Pyongyang is already setting up a hurdle in the process of dismantling its nuclear program, a key condition for a rapprochement with the West. On Nov. 12, North Korea said international inspectors would not be allowed to take samples from its nuclear complex at Yongbyon, although U.S. and South Korean officials said the communist state promised last month to allow verification of the disablement of its plutonium-making plants.

North Korea watchers say Pyongyang is signaling it will no longer deal with the Administration of lame-duck President George W. Bush. North Korea watchers also point out the regime is resorting to its usual negotiation tactic of brinkmanship before seeking a deal with the new U.S. government. To browse through key issues for North Korea, click on: