The Los Angeles Times says the abrupt decision by North Korea to return to the negotiating table has raised hopes that the Kim Jong-il regime has made a high-level decision to dismantle its nuclear program.

Quoting a South Korean diplomat familiar with the nuclear negotiations, the paper said Wednesday that some progress is expected to be made at the second round of six-way talks and that Pyongyang is more open now to American demands for a complete and verifiable dismantling of its atomic program.

The diplomat, who asked not to be quoted by name, said the North Koreans have been chastened by Libya's agreement in December to dismantle its weapons program and by the current investigation into top Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. Khan was accused of having provided North Korea and other nations with key nuclear technology.

The diplomat said the North Koreans are also anxious to reach an agreement before the U.S. presidential election, fearing that a second Bush administration would take a tougher line.