North Korea is reportedly calling for simultaneous discussions on denuclearization and the signing of a peace agreement if the six-nation dialogues are to restart.

A source in China says that North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-kwan made the call during talks in Beijing earlier this month and said the North will rejoin the six-way talks if their conditions are accepted.

North Korea maintains its call for the lifting of UN sanctions but has reportedly decided to address the issue after the six-way talks resume.

Pyongyang has to date demanded that sanctions be lifted and a peace agreement must be signed as preconditions to resuming nuclear negotiations.