China's president continues his first visit to North Korea Friday, with aims to de-escalate rising tensions. Xi Jinping has so far urged North Korea's leader to continue work on the issue of denuclearization -- while Kim Jong Un is expressing dissatisfaction with the United States.
Chinese foreign ministry says Kim told Xi he will remain patient, in a veiled reference to stalled denuclearization talks with the United States.
Kim reportedly told Xi he is trying to ease tensions.
But he says the "relevant party" hasn't shown a positive response.
Meanwhile, North Korean state media did not provide their own account of the meeting, only saying the leaders had a broad discussion on international issues.
It's been several months since Kim's second summit with US President Donald Trump, which ended in a stalemate.
The US wants North Korea to completely denuclearize, in exchange for lifting UN sanctions.
But Kim wants a more phased approach, and reportedly told Xi he's willing to meet the US halfway.
Xi pledged support for North Korea's efforts on denuclearization and praised its efforts thus far.
Xi will likely continue conversations on denuclearization when he meets with another high-profile leader next week.
The Chinese leader will sit down with Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan.
NHK
