By Charles Scanlon BBC Tokyo correspondent

North Korea has a long history of exploiting differences between its neighbours and adversaries.

The planned resumption of high-level contacts between North and South Korea follows Pyongyang's agreement to resume talks with Japan over missing people.

The more conciliatory approach to its neighbours comes as the United States steps up pressure on the communist state.

North Korea is now hinting at concessions just as the United States adopts a much tougher stance over its weapons programmes.

Agreement in doubt

Washington has refused to certify that North Korea is complying with an agreement to dismantle its nuclear facilities.

Japan and South Korea are cooperating on this summer's World Cup

That could put in doubt the future of the joint agreement signed in 1994 which defused a potential armed conflict between the two countries.

North Korea will do what it can to prevent concerted action by the United States and its two key allies, South Korea and Japan.

By resuming contacts with Seoul, it could stimulate anti-American sentiment in the South and drive a further wedge between President Kim Dae-jung and President George W Bush.

Calming move

The North Koreans have also been holding secret talks with the Japanese.

Kim Jong-il has rejected US "axis of evil" allegations

They have now agreed to resume formal discussions on the fate of 11 Japanese citizens allegedly kidnapped by North Korean agents.

Late last year, Pyongyang broke off talks, describing the charges as a malicious fabrication.

It is now hinting at concessions in an effort to defuse a much more aggressive stance by the Japanese Government.

As long as American interests in the region remain narrowly focused on weapons of mass destruction, North Korea will be well placed to profit from the differing priorities of its opponents.