A North Korean envoy has arrived in Beijing where US, Chinese, South Korean and Japanese representatives are discussing plans to restart talks on Pyongyang's nuclear disarmament.
The visit of North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan raised speculation he may meet with US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill.
But none of the governments involved disclosed any information about who the North Korean envoy was planning to meet in Beijing.
On Mr Kim's last known visit to the Chinese capital last month, he held an unannounced meeting with Mr Hill that led to the North agreeing to return to the six-party talks on nuclear disarmament.
The talks have been stalled for more than a year because of North Korean anger over financial sanctions imposed by the United States. Restarting them took on new urgency after the North carried out its first nuclear test on October 9th.
Officials have yet to determine a date for the next round of talks, which also involve Russia.
AP