Adopt 'serious attitude' for peace, end sanctions

High-level N Korean official may be visiting Beijing: Japanese media

North Korea yesterday called on the United States to understand its position and adopt a "serious attitude" to contribute to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.

Ri Jong Hyok, director of North Korea's National Reunification Institute and deputy head of its Supreme People's Assembly, said that his country sought to build a "just and peaceful new world, free from aggression and war" and nothing could block the goal of inter-Korean dialogue and reunification.

"Now is the high time to put an end to the US anachronistic anti-DPRK hostile policy and its futile moves of sanctions and pressure," Ri told the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

A high-ranking North Korean official appeared to have arrived by train in Beijing, Japanese media reported, though speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is currently visiting the Chinese capital has not been confirmed.

Kyodo, citing sources close to the matter, said the visit of the official was intended to improve ties between Beijing and Pyongyang that have been frayed by North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and China's backing of tough sanctions against North Korea at the United Nations Security Council.

Reuters was unable to immediately confirm that a top North Korean official had arrived by train.

Beijing has traditionally been North Korea's closest ally, but Kim is due to hold summit meetings separately with rivals South Korea and the US.

Asked earlier at a daily news briefing about reports of an important North Korean visitor arriving at the Chinese border city of Dandong, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she was unaware of the situation.