That crisis was averted when the North agreed to freeze its nuclear program.

Political problems surfaced when administration officials began to declare that North Korea had agreed to freeze its entire nuclear program.

North Korea moved slightly closer to the American demand last month when it offered to freeze its program as part of a deal.

On the nuclear front, North Korea has frozen its nuclear program.

The North offered to freeze its program in exchange for aid.

North Korea said it might freeze its program if the United States lifted sanctions.

But the North Koreans have only promised to freeze their program through the next round of the high-level talks.

The North eventually agreed to freeze its nuclear program.

North Korea's offer to freeze its program is only for the duration of the high-level talks in Geneva.

"The question is what actions do you take if they freeze their program, versus dismantling it," said an administration official.