North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il called Tuesday for all sides to push forward a nuclear disarmament accord and said there were signs of easing tensions on the Korean peninsula, China's official news agency reported.

Kim made the rare conciliatory comments to visiting Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi, Xinhua news agency said, during talks over a stalled agreement under which North Korea promised to dismantle its nuclear programmes.

"Recently some signs of easing on the Korean peninsula have appeared. All sides should implement the initial actions (under the nuclear accord)," Kim was quoted as telling Yang.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il met China's foreign minister in

Pyongyang yesterday, state press said, as the two nations discussed ways for the Stalinist state to push ahead with nucleardisarmament.

The reclusive Kim met with Yang Jiechi , Xinhua news agency said, for talks that had been expected to focus on North Korea's commitments under a six-nation deal struck in February that would see Pyongyang scrap its nuclear programmes.

Xinhua provided no further details of the talks but a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said earlier Yang was to express China's desire to see that the accord was fully implemented.

"I believe that Mr Yang Jiechi will convey China's will to peacefully solve the nuclear issue by consultation so as to realise peace and stability of the peninsula," spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.