With divisions remaining over the resumption of the six-party talks, experts say the outlook, for involving all parties is bleak.

Regional powers now disagree over the best diplomatic approach.

Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang want an immediate resumption of Six party talks.

South Korea, the United States and Japan say they will rejoin when Pyongyang makes a sincere commitment to denuclearize. They say the North's revelations about its advances in nuclear technology last month underline it is far from sincere.

A joint declaration made by the US and its two Asian allies may be turning the peace process on the Korean peninsula in the opposite direction.