New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who is visiting North Korea, says he has urged the communist state for restraint.

CNN said Saturday that Richardson met with officials of the North’s Foreign Ministry on Friday and stressed the need to “cool things down.” He also called on Pyongyang to not issue any response and let South Korea’s live-fire drills take place.

After wrapping up discussions Friday with the North Korean officials, including Vice Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, Richardson told CNN that he had made some progress.

Richardson said Ri had expressed concerns over mounting tensions on the Korean Peninsula, adding that Ri’s statement is a positive sign.

Richardson said he will be able to issue an assessment on the North's overall mood after meeting with more top officials. He is set to meet with the North’s top nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-kwan on Saturday.

The governor added that he had proposed to the North that it make preparations to hold talks with the South and resume nuclear dismantlement negotiation as steps to ease tensions in the region.