Back in Line

Amazing what a meeting with your patron will do:

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il expressed regret about his country’s nuclear test to a Chinese delegation and said Pyongyang would return to international nuclear talks if Washington backs off a campaign to financially isolate the country, South Korean media reported Friday.

“If the U.S. makes a concession to some degree, we will also make a concession to some degree, whether it be bilateral talks or six-party talks,” Kim was quoted as telling a Chinese envoy, the mass-circulation Chosun Ilbo reported, citing a diplomatic source in China.

Kim told the Chinese delegation that “he is sorry about the nuclear test,” the newspaper reported.

The reporting on Today had the Chinese communications characterized as: "Don't think about another nuclear test and get back to the Six Party talks."

In other words, some seemingly helpful admonitions from the only country that stands between NK and NKaos. The effects remain to be seen.