North Korea’s chief nuclear envoy says a bipartisan U.S. group's visit to Pyongyang during the administration of President George W. Bush is very significant.

Kim Kye-kwan made the remark Monday when he met with the U.S. delegation led by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson after they arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday for a four-day visit.

Former U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi, who is accompanying Richardson, quoted Kim as saying that North Korea could allow U.N. nuclear inspectors back in the country shortly after it receives its 25 million dollars in funds from the Banco Delta Asia bank in Macao.

Governor Richardson said that his delegation told Kim that the North must show commitment to implementing steps toward nuclear dismantlement and urged Pyongyang to resume the six-party talks before Saturday.