"From our standpoint, the purpose will be to facilitate the early resumption of the six-party talks, " P.

CNN: Obama to send envoy to North Korea

North Korea has called for the resumption of six-party talks without preconditions before.

CNN: North Korean leader arrives in Russia

Chinese state media also reported that Mr. Choe agreed to unspecified dialogue and the possible resumption of six-party talks, which were used until 2008 to seek North Korea's reversal of its nuclear program.

WSJ: North Korea Reiterates Commitment to Building Nuclear Weapons

China, North Korea's most important financial and military backer, also welcomed the announcement and reiterated long-standing calls by Beijing for a resumption of six-party talks.

WSJ: North Korea Agrees to Nuclear Moratorium

It has called for an emergency meeting to prepare for a resumption of six-party talks, involving America, Japan and Russia as well as China and the two Koreas.

ECONOMIST: Banyan