a) Arabian sea seizure but allowing DPRK export shipment of scud missiles to pass on to final destination, with a slap on the wrist of 'don't do that any more'
b) 'we won't invade. we want to talk' revision of strategy rather than keeping silent and keeping them guessing (why do we Americans have to blabber so much and overexplain everything to the Asian across the table who plays the skillful 'silent' game). What ever happened to strategic silence or subtle threats?
and finally, open and frequent international media discussion no doubt read by the North Koreans (albeit discounted by Rumsfeld), that the US cannot engage in two major global wars at the same time. (add to this, of course, anti-Americanism in South Korea and the election of Roh)
The North may also have its hands on intelligence gained through the Robert Hansen sellout that knows our vulnerabilities, IMHO