The best thing that can be said about North Korea's supposed agreement with the US to freeze a threatened missile test is that it may mark a useful first step towards a more lasting accord.
The US says Pyongyang has promised not to conduct any tests so long as negotiations continue. Since no deadline has been set, these could drag on for years.
In return, the US plans to lift some economic sanctions. But Japan says the North's testing plans have not been frozen and it is too early to talk about easing sanctions.
Seoul is also cautious. And with good reason. Pyongyang is not renowned for abiding by agreements. In any case, all it need do is end the talks, making itself free to fire as many missiles as it likes.
But there is nothing to suggest Pyongyang has the ability to do this. Japan says there are no active preparations for a test.
What North Korea has done is take a threat it may not even be capable of carrying out and successfully use it to extract concessions. Nor will this be the end of the story.
