BEIJING, Sept 26: Japanese negotiators told North Korean envoys they hoped to start bilateral security talks as they wrapped up two days of meetings in Beijing on Sunday, a Japanese diplomat said.

The Japanese team made the proposal after it had expressed "serious concern" about North Korea's missile programme in talks conducted against the backdrop of growing uncertainty about Pyongyang's intentions.

"Japan suggested starting security talks," the diplomat said. "The North Koreans told us they would take the proposal home." Agreement on carrying out security talks was among the results of a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang in September 2002.

This weekend's discussions, focusing not just on Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programme but also its past abductions of Japanese citizens, took place inside North Korean embassy compound in the heart of Beijing.

"The Japanese side expressed serious concern about the missile issue," said the Japanese diplomat, referring to Saturday's negotiations. The Japanese delegates, headed by Akitaka Saiki, the foreign ministry's deputy chief for Asian affairs, saw to it that the missile and nuclear issue was on Sunday's agenda as well, he said.

While the delegates were talking in Beijing, the Japanese press reported increased activity had been observed at about 10 missile bases in North Korea that could be seen as preparation for a missile launch. -AFP