ADDING UP THE VOTES AGAINST PYONGYANG

North Korea was hit with a minor setback that had major implications today, as the International Atomic Energy Agency voted to suspend most assistance. Most notable is that China did not overtly oppose the move. Instead, Beijing's representatives abstained, perhaps sending a signal that China would take the same approach when sanctions against Pyongyang are considered by the U.N. in the coming days. In South Korea, the U.S. and Seoul continued to prepare for an all-out North Korean assault that might include a nuclear-weapons attack.