Members of the I.M.F. approved reform measures aiming at increasing the voting p

Members of the I.M.F. approved reform measures that aim to increase the voting power of countries with growing economies. As a first step, they agreed to increases in the voting rights for China, South Korea, Mexico and Turkey. These four countries were considered the least represented given the size of their economics.

To ease tensions, North Korea opened disarmament talks with the United States and four other nations three years ago. Last September, they released a joint statement. It said North Korea would end its nuclear arms program in exchange for economic aid and security guarantees.