A high-ranking North Korean military official says Pyongyang and Beijing have reached a consensus on strengthening military ties. Kim Il-chul, the minister of the People's Armed Forces of North Korea, met visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan on Tuesday. Chinese and North Korean state media revealed few details of the meeting, which took place as pressure builds on North Korea to return to stalled talks to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.

China is one of North Korea's few allies and has been playing a leading role in the six-country talks. It was the first meeting between the two in nearly two years. Cao's visit to the North comes ahead of a U.S. visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao later this month. Some experts believe Cao is in the North to pre-brief officials there on Hu's U.S. visit and address the status of the multilateral talks, which have been stalled since November.

During Tuesday's meeting, North Korean media reported the two officials discussed ways to strengthen military ties and exchanged what the official called "valuable" opinions. After his three-day visit to the North, the Chinese defense chief visit South Korea next week. Experts say his visit may offer a chance for South Korean military officials to feel out North Korea's stance on another round of inter-Korean general-level talks or ministerial talks.

Arirang News