U.S. Undersecretary of State for economic affairs Alan Larson, currently visiting China, says the United States does not pose a threat to North Korea and has no intention of invading the communist state.

Speaking before a group of Peking University students Tuesday, Larson added that Washington is "prepared to provide the kind of security assurances that might be welcomed by North Korea" in exchange for its nuclear dismantlement.

However, he was quick to add that "the U.S. is not going to let North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons to be used as a threat against the U.S. or against North Korea's neighbors."

Larson added that the North Korean people did not need nuclear weapons capability but rather economic reforms that would raise living standards.

Larson's visit coincides with a three-day tour of China by North Korea's No. 2 leader, parliamentary chief Kim Yong-nam, who has said Pyongyang is committed to resolving the two-year crisis over its nuclear weapons programs through six party talks.