Wu Bangguo (R) shakes hands with Kim Yong Nam (L), president of Presidium of Supreme People's Assembly of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Oct. 18, 2004.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is willing to seek a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through continued dialogue although the situation is still complicated, says the country's top legislator.

Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, met Monday with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Wu said it is the common aspiration of the international community that the momentum of peaceful dialogue on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula could be maintained to push towards a solution.

The six-party talks aimed at the denuclearization of the Korea Peninsula include the United States, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), along with Russia and the DPRK.

Since last August, Beijing has hosted three rounds of six-party talks.

Wu said all difficulties can be overcome as long as all parties of the talks keep patient and show their sincerity and flexibility.

He told Kim that the dialogue should continue and could not but continue.

The nuclear standoff erupted in October 2002 when US officials said Pyongyang had admitted to pursuing a nuclear weapons programme, while Pyongyang accused Washington of labelling it as part of an "axis of evil" and listing DPRK as a target of pre-emptive nuclear attacks.

Kim kicked off a three-day official goodwill visit to China yesterday. He is expected to meet President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao today.

Kim's tour to Beijing comes before a visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell to Japan, China and the ROK, which begins on Friday.

Kim and Wu also discussed bilateral issues.

Wu made a four-point proposal on how to enhance bilateral ties.

He said the two countries should respect and treat each other equally on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

China and the DPRK should maintain high level contacts and exchange their views timely on major issues of mutual concern to consolidate the political foundation for bilateral relations, Wu said.

He proposed the two sides strengthen mutually beneficial co-operation and seek common development.

Wu said the two countries should co-ordinate dealings in regards to international and regional affairs to strive for a peaceful, stable and friendly environment.

Kim said the DPRK is willing to work with China to enhance legislative contact and economic co-operation to push the traditional friendship to a new height.

Wu told Kim that the Chinese Government had decided to offer aid without repayment to the DPRK.

Kim and his entourage of trade and industry leaders yesterday visited Beijing's Zhongguancun Science Park, a hi-tech hub known as China's Silicon Valley.

Besides Beijing, Kim will also visit Tianjin Municipality.