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North Korea has shown interest in inviting the New York Philharmonic to perform in its capital, Pyongyang, apparently as part of its efforts to improve ties with the United States, sources here said Sunday.

During a meeting of six-party nuclear disarmament talks in Beijing in July, U.S. envoy Christopher Hill met his North Korean counterpart, Kim Kye-gwan, and proposed that the two countries start civilian exchanges as part of confidence-building measures, said the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Kim responded positively, saying that his government has already thought about such exchanges and would be interested in inviting the New York Philharmonic, according to the sources.

Eric Latzky, spokesman for the New York-based philharmonic, told Yonhap News Agency that he was unaware of any invitation by the North but said discussions were under way with South Korea for a performance tour there.

If the philharmonic decides to travel to South Korea, it may positively consider adding North Korea to its Asian travel plan.

The United States, along with South Korea, China, Japan and Russia, is encouraging North Korea to denuclearize in return for economic aid and better ties with it. Civilian exchanges may help build mutual trust between the two Cold War foes.

In the first stage of a six-party accord adopted in February, North Korea has just shut down five key nuclear facilities, including its only functioning Soviet-era reactor, in return for energy aid.

The second-stage of the deal calls for North Korea to disable those facilities that have been shut down in exchange for more energy assistance and declare all of its nuclear weapons and programs, including a suspected uranium-based one.

The United States fought on South Korea's side in the 1950-53 Korean War. About 28,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against the North.

Meanwhile, the same sources said a North Korean judo team was about to visit the United States during summer last year but the trip was cancelled at the last moment amid tension over the North's multiple missile test-fire in July.

The travel plan by the Koreans may be formally discussed again, they said. WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (Yonhap News)