The possibility of the six-party talks moving ahead looks more evident by the day, and the Yeonpyeongdo incident appear to have been at most a minor delay on this schedule. This is something the Obama and South Korean administration (for all the rhetoric) have been planning for for awhile, and informal discussions would have taken place, and will continue to take place as both sides feel each other out ahead of the talks. While agreements have fallen apart in the past and one has reason to be somewhat skeptical, I think some factors worth considering this round include (in no particular order of merit): Succession - With the likelihood of a full succession happening in North Korea in the near future, concerns about legacy brings opportunities and threats to any planned deal.
China's Influence - With the recent spate of economic "agreements" between China and North Korea (driven at the governmental-level), China is more influential in North Korea than ever.
Comprehensive Deal - While nuclear issues will dominate the talks, this round will likely feature greater discussion on issues such as economic development and human security (rights). If a significant aid for nukes agreement materialize, the US administration will want to encourage North Korea to adopt new economic policies to ensure its reintegration into the global economy.
US and South Korea - The US administration this round appears (on paper) to be more amenable to an agreement while the South Korean government, for all its reported hawkishness, seems somewhat pragmatic.
If an agreement is made and successfully executed by all parties, the economic environment in North Korea could change rapidly, which will enable and require us to think of new and innovative ways to tap our network to add value to the economic development process in North Korea.