North Korea's chief nuclear envoy has returned to Pyongyang after a five-day visit to Beijing.

Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan held talks with Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei in the Chinese capital on the resumption of the six-party nuclear talks and the signing of a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War.

Kim smiled but had no comment when asked questions by reporters at Beijing Capital International Airport. He was accompanied by leading North Korean diplomat Ri Gun and an interpreter.

Kim is also known to have held talks with Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.