Seoul  - A French delegation headed by former culture minister Jack Lang arrived in North Korea on Monday, the North Korean News Agency KCNA reported.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy dispatched Lang on a five-day "information and research" mission to sound out the possibilities of improving relations with the communist nation.

France does not have diplomatic ties with North Korea.

Lang and his teram are expected to discuss North Korea's nuclear programme, human rights issues and relations with South Korea during talks with officials in Pyongyang, the French government said ahead of the trip.

Sarkozy sent Lang on a similar factfinding mission to Cuba in March this year.(dpa)