S.Korea may send envoy to China

"To jointly maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is the common objective pursued by China, South Korea, the US, Japan and Russia," he said. "Any talks between Chinese officials and the South Korean envoy would be based on that objective."

Also Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il attended a rare second annual session of Parliament, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

At his proposal, prime minister Kim Yong-il was replaced by Choe Yong-rim, who headed the Pyongyang branch of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Jang Song-thaek was promoted to vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission, the Korean Central News Agency said.

Agencies contributed to this story