Russia's Interfax News Agency says Washington may consider North Korea's request for simultaneous economic compensation in return for a nuclear freeze.

The news agency said Tuesday that Washington had conveyed the position to Pyongyang through diplomatic channels.

The news agency added that Washington's apparent softening of its stance
stems from pressure by China and South Korea on the U.S. to take up a softer position toward the North.

Interfax said that senior officials of North Korea and the United States will discuss the nuclear freeze-for-compensation deal on Wednesday, shortly before the opening of the third round of six-way nuclear talks in Beijing.

The United States has been adamant in its demand that North Korea first scrap its nuclear weapons programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible way before any talks on compensation take place.