Both the US and North Korea will need to exercise unlimited amounts of patience as they try and prise open the door for constructive dialogue.
Obama is facing an election year and Kim Jong-un is trying to negotiate his way through a transitory phase. Commitments will therefore be at a minimum, but confidence-building measures should be made.
The North Korean leader hasn't revealed his deck of cards as far as foreign policy is concerned: he still has to ensure that the military and other internal factions unite as one seamless unit under his leadership.
North Korea is reeling from economic sanctions and severe food shortage. The latter problem has, however, been addressed by the Chinese so any offer of food aid from Washington — as is being believed — would be politely refused.
The nuclear programme will also be on the burner as it is Kim's trump card. Both sides are caught between a rock and hard place. Given this, the prognosis for improving relations is not encouraging.
