PHUKET, Thailand: The United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) became entangled in a brief diplomatic fuss yesterday when they found themselves competing for the same stage.

The two countries, which do not have diplomatic ties and are mired in a long-standing row over Pyongyang's nuclear programs, booked back-to-back news conferences in the same room at the ASEAN forum.

Pyongyang's delegates turned up on time only to find U.S. officials and journalists waiting for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was running late. Clinton had booked the stage for 1 to 1:30 p.m. while the DPRK had reserved it at 1:30.