Washington, Aug 10 (Xinhua) North Korea has indicated its desire to improve relations with Washington, US National Security Adviser James Jones said Sunday.

Pyongyang expressed its desire to improve relations with Washington during a meeting between former US president Bill Clinton and North Korea's top leader Kim Jong-Il last Tuesday, Jones told the Fox News Sunday.

North Korea has been eager to hold talks with the US. The Obama administration will be happy to do that if Pyongyang rejoins the six-party talks, he said.

Clinton visited Pyongyang Aug 4 on a private mission to secure the release of two American journalists held by North Korea for illegally entering the country.

The journalists were freed after a meeting between Clinton and Kim.

North Korean officials later told the media in remarks that the two leaders held talks on improving bilateral relations. US officials, however, said Clinton's visit was only to secure the release of the journalists.