Yoriko Kawaguchi made the remark during a meeting with South Korean National Security Adviser Ra Jong-Yil at the foreign ministry in Tokyo, Kyodo News and other news reports said.

Kawaguchi said it is important to watch future developments closely, although the messages from Pyongyang were not strong enough to prompt too much optimism over the crisis, the news reports said.

North Korea said earlier this month it is prepared to suspend testing and production of nuclear weapons and abide by a freeze on its nuclear facilities if the United States takes steps such as lifting economic sanctions.

Pyongyang also allowed an unofficial US delegation to visit its key nuclear facility.

WAR.WIRE