BEIJING, OCTOBER 19 (PTI)North Korea is seeking a peaceful solution to the dispute over its nuclear-weapons development, the Chinese media today quoted Pyongyang's No.2 leader as saying.

Kim Yong Nam, president of North Korea's legislature, told his Chinese counterpart Wu Bangguo here yesterday that his nation is willing to continue talks though the ``situation is still complicated,'' the state-run 'China Daily' said.

China is North Korea's closest ally and the biggest aid donor. Beijing is also host of the six-party talks aimed to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, which also involves South Korea, Russia, the U.S. And Japan.

The fourth round of talks did not take place as scheduled last month, as North Korea boycotted it citing South Korea's controversial nuclear experiments and Washington's "hostile policy".

Three rounds of talks held since the nuclear issue erupted between Washington and Pyongyang in October 2002 have produced no breakthrough.

Wu reminded Kim that it is the common aspiration of the international community to maintain the momentum of talks on the nuclear issue and seek solution to substantial issues.

On the difficulties facing the peaceful talks, Wu said that as long as all parties concerned are patient, sincere and flexible, the difficulties will be overcome.