U.S. media sources say North Korea’s New Year message could be hopeful sign that the Stalinist state will return to the six-party talks for nuclear disarmament.

CNN cited Korean peninsula analysts’ interpretation that North Korea is desperate to come out of its economic difficulties and diplomatic isolation resulting from the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions. Those sanctions were a response to North Korea’s launch of what it claimed to be a satellite, but what many suspected to be a long-range missile. CNN said it could be a sign that North Korea may return to the six-party nuclear talks.

The Associated Press also said that the North Korean New Year's editorial reaffirmed its pledge to a nuclear-free Korean peninsula. The AP predicted that it brightens prospects for the reclusive regime’s return to six-party negotiations for dismantling its nuclear program.

The New York Times said that the North’s January 1 editorial had softened the typically bellicose attacks against Washington and Seoul, which it said appeared to be an attempt to readjust the focus of the six-way talks.

However, the newspaper opined that North Korea’s demand for a peace treaty could be a ploy to distract the focus on ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs.