DÉTENTE

North Korea Ends Nuke Plans

Thought many still skeptical

After years of strained relations, the United States announced Wednesday that North Korea has agreed to place a moratorium on its nuclear ambitions, suspending uranium-enrichment programs and ceasing tests of long-range and nuclear missiles. U.S. Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said in a statement Wednesday that the insular Asian country had agreed to permit inspectors to oversee the moratorium and verify the disablement of a nuclear reactor. Meanwhile, Obama said the steps were "important, if limited." In exchange, Nuland said, the two countries will meet to discuss a package of 240,000 metric tons of food aid for North Korea. Though the deal has passed, analysts are skeptical that North Korea may have another undisclosed nuclear plant.