Japan says top N Korean official may visit soon

Tokyo, Apr 5: North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan, a close aide to leader Kim Jong-il, may visit Japan to attend a private forum next week, Japan's top government spokesman said today.

''I have heard that ... Kim Kye-gwan is considering taking part,'' top government spokesman Shinzo Abe told reporters, but added that his participation had not been finalised.

If realised, the visit would take place amid efforts to resume stalled six-party talks on ending the reclusive communist state's nuclear arms programmes.

Reuters