Second, North Korea hoped to launch into bilateral contacts with the United States. Since the beginning of the year, especially after the UN passed Resolution 1874 to tighten sanctions against the country, North Korea has declared the death of the six-party talks on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue on multiple occasions.

Nonetheless, it has left the door open to a direct U.S.-North Korea dialogue. During Clinton's 20-hour stay, both sides certainly had enough time to exchange views on nuclear proliferation and other geopolitical issues.

Analysts agree it remains an open question whether Obama sent a message to North Korea through Clinton. But it is quite probable North Korean leaders have delivered some messages to the United States through the meeting.

It is notable, Snyder said, that Kim Kye Gwan, North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator, was among the welcoming staff at the airport in Pyongyang. It proves North Korea had made preparations for discussion of nuclear issues with Clinton.

For the Obama administration, their main purpose was to bring the detained journalists home. Putting the U.S. core values aside, Obama was desperate for a piece of "positive news" due to the hits his administration was taking in the wake of health care reform and ineffective economic stimulus packages.

Possible turnaround

As for Clinton's visit, both North Korea and the United States have been sticking to their own arguments. A report from the Korean Central News Agency, North Korea's official news agency, said North Korean leader Kim Jong Il exchanged views with Clinton on many issues of common concern. Clinton also delivered a message from President Obama to which Kim expressed gratitude, it said. The report estimated Clinton's visit to have contributed to deepening understanding and establishing trust between North Korea and the United States.

By contrast, Obama quickly responded after the release of the American journalists that Clinton's "humanitarian mission" did not ease the demands of the United States that North Korea alter its behavior if it wants better relations.

Although the Obama administration has been criticized by conservatives as "waving the white flag," most U.S. experts on North Korea issues hold positive attitudes toward Clinton's visit.

Snyder, for instance, believes it broadened the channel of information between Washington and Pyongyang. Even though the former president's visit was a private one, he must have exchanged views on nuclear issues with North Korean leaders, he said.

Also, this visit provided North Korean leaders an opportunity to reveal their true opinions on their nuclear ambitions and views on international affairs. These outcomes, according to Snyder, are going to influence Obama's North Korea policy, thus enabling currently deadlocked nuclear negotiations to take a turn for the better.

The author is a China Youth Daily correspondent in Washington, D.C.