Foreign diplomats stationed in Pyongyang reportedly considered boycotting a reception last month marking North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's birthday in protest of the North's announcement that it possesses nuclear arms.

According to diplomatic sources, the envoys, mostly from Europe, initially told North Korean authorities that they would not attend the February 14 reception to express their shock and dismay over the North's unexpected announcement.

The sources said that North Korean government officials had telephoned the diplomats and asked them to reconsider their decision. The diplomats eventually participated in the reception, but arrived at the meeting about 30 minutes late in protest.

North Korea announced that it possesses nuclear weapons and pulled out of the six-way talks early February.