There have typically been three demands made by the North Korean side to the United States. The first demand is the creation of a formal, written non-aggression pact.  North Korea initially demanded a unilateral security assurance from the US, but in recent months has indicated a willingness to accept a less rigid multi-lateral security guarantee. As the top priority of the Kim Jong-Il regime is ensuring its security, obtaining a non-aggression pact is a critical first step in moving closer to ending the Korean War. North Korea has also demanded an end to U.S. imposed economic sanctions, which are viewed as an attempt to pressure the Kim Jong-Il regime into collapse. Finally, North Korea wants to achieve normalization of diplomatic relations with the United States through first putting a formal end to the Korean War.