News of the visit comes ahead of crucial six-way talks set to take place in China to resolve the 10-month crisis over the Stalinist state's nuclear weapons ambitions.

The Chinese delegation will be headed by Colonel General Xu Caihou, the director of the Chinese army's general political department, KCNA news agency reported without giving further details.

The six-way talks are due to take place in Beijing from August 27-29 and are to include North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan and the United States.

WAR.WIRE