But, though Bush maintained America’s hard line toward Iran, in 2006 he changed tack in dealing with North Korea and began seeking a deal – doubtless influenced by the North’s first nuclear test, carried out in October of that year. An eventual agreement, reached in the fifth round of the six-party talks in February 2007, could not be implemented because of North Korea’s refusal to agree on a verification protocol.
但尽管布什保持着美国对伊朗的强硬态度，2006年他改变了对朝政策，开始力求达成协议——朝鲜那年10月进行的首次核试验无疑影响了布什的决策。2007年2月第五轮六方会谈达成的最终协议因为朝鲜拒绝签署核查条款而无法执行下去。