A U.S. expert says a top North Korean official has mentioned a willingness to discuss a missile limitation agreement with the United States.

Voice of America was quoting Selig Harrison, director of the Washington-based Center for International Policy's Asia program. Harrison met with Pyongyang officials last week during a trip to North Korea, including Ri Gun, the director general of the North Korean Foreign Ministry's United States division.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing Saturday, Harrison said Ri told him the North is prepared to discuss nuclear disarmament when and if U.S. relations with the country are fully normalized.

Harrison said Pyongyang hopes to foster better relations with Washington under President-elect Barack Obama. He said director general Ri has suggested North Korea would even consider negotiating a missile limitation agreement.

The Bush administration failed in its efforts late last year to negotiate a disarmament with North Korea.