The "Elders" delegation wants to meet the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s leader Kim Jong-il and his son and heir apparent Kim Jong-un to press for a resumption of dialogue between the two Koreas. They will also discuss ways to help alleviate the North's food shortages.

In a brief story, without comment, the DPRK's KCNA state news agency said the group had arrived by chartered plane. They are scheduled to leave Pyongyang on Thursday for Seoul, where they will brief local officials.

Carter's visit comes as momentum builds toward a resumption of aid-for-disarmament talks, which the DPRK quit in 2009 but now wants to rejoin. The six-party talks involve the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.