North Korean leader wants to 'write a new history of national reunification'

South Korea's national security director Chung Eui Yong, right, and National Intelligence Service Chief Suh Hoon, left, before they left for Pyongyang. Photo / AP

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has said it is his "firm will to vigorously advance" and "write a new history of national reunification" with South Korea to a visiting delegation of high-ranking South Korean officials.

"Hearing the intention of President Moon Jae In for a summit from the special envoy of the south side, he exchanged views and made a satisfactory agreement," the North's official news agency said of the meeting, without detailing what that agreement was.

"He gave the important instruction to the relevant field to rapidly take practical steps for it," the Korean Central News Agency said.

"He also made an exchange of in-depth views on the issues for easing the acute military tensions on the Korean Peninsula and activating the versatile dialogue, contact, cooperation and exchange."

The visit was aimed at encouraging Pyongyang and Washington to talk.

Both North Korea and the US have expressed a willingness to talk but the long-held American position is that the North first give up its nuclear weapons programme. The North, which has vowed never to give up its nuclear deterrent against what it sees as US hostility, says it will not sit down to talks under preconditions.

North Korea is also concerned about joint US-South Korea military exercises, which it sees as preparation for war. South Korean officials have said the drills will start next month as planned.

The 10-member South Korean delegation, led by National Security Office head Chung Eui Yong, was greeted by North Korean officials after landing in Pyongyang last night NZT, said Kim Eui Kyeom, a spokesman for South Korea's presidential office.

The North Koreans at the airport included Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, and Kim Yong Chol, who heads the United Front Department, the North Korean office responsible for handling inter- Korean affairs. Both visited South Korea during the Winter Olympics last month.

The South Korean delegation was later invited to join Kim Jong Un for dinner, the South Korean spokesman added.

The South Korean officials are the most senior officials from the South to meet Kim Jong Un since he took power in late 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il.

- Reuters, AAP