North Korea's ambassador to China is suggesting the United States and China actively participate in discussions about North Korea’s Monday proposal that the Korean War armistice be replaced with a peace treaty.

During an interview with Japan's Kyodo news agency on Tuesday, Choe Jin-su said South Korea was opposed to the armistice at the time it was signed over 50 years ago, and thus failed to sign it. He added that he does not know about Seoul's current position on the matter.

The North Korean envoy also strongly urged the United Nations to lift its sanctions against Pyongyang, saying that the North could decide to return to the six-party nuclear talks if the sanctions are lifted.

The North's Foreign Ministry on Monday issued a statement proposing peace treaty talks among parties to the armistice agreement.

Earlier on Tuesday, Defense Minister Kim Tae-young said that although the signatories of the armistice include only the U.N. forces led by the U.S., North Korea’s military and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, South Korea must be involved in any talks of a peace regime.