North Korean leader Kim Jong-il says his government's decision about whether to return to multilateral nuclear talks, including the six-way dialogue, depends on the outcome of bilateral talks with the United States.

China’s Xinhua news agency said that during a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Pyongyang on Monday, Kim said that bilateral talks between Washington and Pyongyang are needed to facilitate a transition from hostile to peaceful ties.

Kim added that North Korea remains unchanged in its goal of seeking to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, calling it the wish of the North's late founder Kim Il-sung.

The Chinese leader commended the North's stand on denuclearization through dialogue, saying a nuclear-free Korea would greatly contribute to North Korea's advancement and overall peace in Northeast Asia.

Xinhua said Kim and Wen reached an important agreement on denuclearization, but the report didn't elaborate on the details.