The U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) says the U.S. could provide North Korea with six economic incentives that could lead the North to denuclearize.

According to the service, the six incentives include a bilateral trade agreement with Pyongyang, easing sanctions, permitting the North to join international financial agencies, providing energy and food aid, and offering preferential treatment for products manufactured at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex.

The CRS analysis is drawing attention as it follows U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks that Washington will explain incentives in return for the North's commitment to denuclearization if the two sides hold bilateral talks.

The CRS report said that normalizing bilateral ties would be the first incentive for the North. It added, however, that if it is hard to normalize ties right away, the two sides could set up a representative office without establishing diplomatic ties, citing the example of Cuba.