North Korea and China Discussed North’s Return to Six-party Talks

North Korean Prime Minister Park Bong Ju visited Beijing on Tuesday and discussed with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao about the North`s nuclear missile issue and bilateral economic cooperation.

In the meeting held at the National People`s Congress (NPC) in Beijing, the two prime ministers allegedly focused on China`s role in developing North Korea`s agricultural industry and measures to vitalize bilateral cooperation for economic growth.

"Park`s visit aimed at agricultural matters and bilateral economic cooperation," an official said. "They held a significant discussion about China investing capital for agricultural land in North Korea. Although the main purpose of Park`s visit is not the nuclear issue, there will be brief discussion since U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Beijing yesterday," he added.

Park visited cellular phone manufacturer Nokia`s Beijing plant before the meeting. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao denied the rumor that China might dispatch another special envoy to North Korea to resolve the nuclear issue.

Yoo-Seong Hwang yshwang@donga.com