The European Union delegation to North Korea has said President Kim Jong-il intends to visit Seoul for a return peace summit but is awaiting the outcome of a US policy review of the state.
Prime Minister Mr Goran Persson of Sweden, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said after talks with Mr Kim the ball was now in the US court.
"My firm impression is that the North wants the new summit but is careful about the timing, and that is because of the policy review in the United States," he told a news conference.
After a euphoric start fuelled by South Korean President Mr Kim Dae-Jung's visit to Pyongyang in June, the peace process has begun to flag and a promised return visit by Mr Kim to Seoul has so far not happened.
The new US administration of President George W. Bush has ordered a review of North Korean policy and signalled its distaste over dealing with Mr Kim.
AFP