Reporting from Washington -- North Korean officials have offered to suspend nuclear weapons tests and uranium enrichment, and allow foreign inspectors back into the country's main reactor complex, U.S. officials said Wednesday, raising hopes that Pyongyang's new leadership might be open to progress in the long-running conflict over its nuclear program.
After two days of talks with American envoys in Beijing, North Korea also agreed to a moratorium on launches of long-range missiles as part of a deal under which the impoverished nation would receive 240,000 metric tons of food aid.
The State Department said in a statement that the steps were "important but limited." The United States and allies had been hoping that North Korea would take a new approach to the nuclear issue after the death last year of Kim Jong Il, who was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong Un.
Many analysts had predicted that the new regime would not decide how to approach the issue for some time as it worked to consolidate internal support.
But the leadership appeared to make a significant concession in allowing a return of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, who were expelled in 2009 amid friction with world powers.
In its statement, the State Department said it was "prepared to take steps to improve our bilateral relationship in the spirit of mutual respect for sovereignty and equality" and allow cultural, educational and sports exchanges.
While progress on the issue would be a coup for the Obama administration, U.S. officials sounded a note of caution.
"The United States still has profound concern regarding North Korean behavior across a wide range of areas," said Victoria Nuland, the State Department's chief spokeswoman, "but today's announcement reflects important, if limited, progress in addressing some of these."