U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali arrived in North Korea Friday with a message from South Korea and hopes of defusing nuclear tensions on the divided peninsula.
Boutros-Ghali crossed the highly militarized border to Communist North Korea after a three-day visit to South Korea. He became the first secretary-general to visit the two countries since 1979.Speaking at a news conference in Seoul on Thursday, the U.N. chief said he was confident nuclear tensions on the Korean peninsula could be resolved through "patience" and "goodwill."
North Korea has refused to allow international inspections of nuclear sites. That has heightened suspicions that it is developing nuclear weapons, something North Korea denies.
The United States has warned that U.N. sanctions may be sought unless the nuclear issue is resolved.
U.S. and North Korean negotiators met in New York twice this week but refused to comment on their talks.
But South Korean newspapers, quoting unnamed Seoul government officials, said the two sides were nearing agreement.
The United States and South Korea are offering better relations and economic aid in exchange for full inspections of the North's nuclear facilities.
The United States also is insisting North Korea agree to resume contacts with the rival South.
The North wants the United States to halt joint military exercises with South Korea that it regards as rehearsals for a nuclear attack.