A Czech lawmaker who recently visited Pyongyang says people there are extremely careful with words and clearly hiding their anxiety over the regime.

Lubomir Zaoralek, lower house speaker of the Czech parliament, visited Pyongyang for four days from May 21st.

He recently told a Czech daily that officials and residents there remained silent when asked if they sincerely praise and admire their leader Kim Jong-il.

He also met high-ranking officials including Kim Young-nam, head of the Presidium of the North's Supreme People's Assembly.

Zaoralek said several North Korean leaders also declined to answer some of his questions.

His visit was part of international efforts to ease tension over the nuclear crisis and help resume the stalled six-party talks.