North Korea has long been a thorn in the side of the US, especially when it comes to the development of nuclear weapons.

Most recently, the secretive regime sentenced two American journalists to 12 years hard labour for allegedly entering their territory illegally.

But in a move that surprised many observers, former US President Bill Clinton visited North Korea this week and secured their release.

After talks with Kim Jong Il, Clinton took the two reporters on a flight back to the US on Thursday.

So what’s behind this new spirit of cooperation and what implications does it have for North Korea's nuclear program?

2SER’s Ashley Felderhof spoke to Professor Richard Tanter, a regional security expert at RMIT University in Melbourne.