NKOREA-NUCLEAR-SOLDIER

Armed North Korean soldiers patrol the banks of the Yalu River in Sinuiju, North Korea, 23 October 2006, across the river from Dandong in northeast China’s Liaoning province. All eyes are on North Korea amid reports that the isolated communist state could be ready to compromise in its standoff with the international community over its nuclear weapons program following its shock 09 October nuclear test. Reports quoted diplomatic sources in Seoul as saying Kim gave the assurance during a meeting in Pyongyang last week with a high-level Chinese delegation led by State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN