Seoul, Aug 4 (Xinhua) Visiting former US president Bill Clinton Tuesday met North Korea's ailing leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang and conveyed a verbal message from US President Barack Obama, South Korea's state-run Yonhap news agency reported.

Kim has hosted a dinner for Clinton at the state guesthouse, according to Radio Pyongyang and Korean Central Broadcasting Station.

Kim and Clinton exchanged 'a broad range of opinion' in their talks, the report said.

The former US president's visit to Pyongyang is aimed at seeking the release of two American journalists detained by North Korea since March.

Clinton's surprise visit also raised hopes for a breakthrough in the long-stalled nuclear disarmament talks.