Director of the international department of the North Korean Workers’ Party, Kim Yong-il, has arrived in China.

A South Korean source says Kim’s visit is to reciprocate a visit his Chinese counterpart Wang Jiarui made to Pyongyang earlier this month.

Although it is common for officials of the communist parties of the two countries to exchange annual visits, Kim’s visit is drawing extra attention as it comes amid active efforts to resume the stalled six-way talks on dismantling the North’s nuclear weapons program.

During his stay in the North, Wang met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and delivered a message from Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The source speculated that the North Korean official could convey the reclusive North Korean leader's stance on a possible visit to China.