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As U.S. officials announce they've held secret talks with North Korean officials, the world continues to work toward defusing the North Korean nuclear threat. But China shows few signs of stepping up economic sanctions on Pyongyang, fearing sanctions could send a wave of refugees across its border.

South Korean researchers say they've made a significant advance in the production of human embryonic stem cells. They can now use far fewer human eggs to produce usable stem cells — a major step toward mass production. Researchers hope these cells could eventually be used to treat a wide variety of diseases.

As China opens up its markets to foreign goods, it's starting to have increasingly more in common with South Korea than its supposed brother in the North. And as NPR's Rob Gifford reports, South Koreans are eager to trade with China. But some worry that South Korea's economic infatuation with its neighbor is blinding it to the possible dangers of an emergent China.

News that South Korean scientists have successfully cloned a human embryo renews a debate over human cloning. On one side are scientists and patients who argue that cloning offers a way to produce healthy cells to treat diseases like diabetes and Parkinson's disease. On the other side are critics who insist that any form of cloning is morally repugnant. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

North and South Korean officials meet in Seoul for talks on economic cooperation, but discussions are overshadowed by concerns about North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy John Bolton says he expects the U.N. to begin discussions on the standoff by week's end. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.

In Seoul, U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton says he expects the U.N. Security Council to begin discussions on North Korea's nuclear weapons program by the end of the week. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.

U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton arrives in South Korea for talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Bolton says the United States will aim to get the United Nations involved in the issue. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.

Meeting with South Korean officials in Seoul, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly says the United States may consider providing North Korea with energy supplies if it scraps its nuclear weapons program. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly arrives in South Korea for talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi issue a joint statement expressing concern over Pyongyang's decision to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Hear NPR's Eric Weiner and Lawrence Sheets.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly arrives in South Korea for talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.