North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has no plans to carry out a second nuclear test and is "sorry" about the first one, news reports from South Korea said Friday.

The reclusive leader told a Chinese envoy sent to Pyongyang on Thursday that "we have no plans for additional nuclear tests," said Yonhap news agency.

China's president sent State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan to North Korea on Thursday with a personal message for Kim about his Oct. 9 nuclear test. He returned to China later in the day.

Kim also told the Chinese diplomat he "is sorry about the nuclear test," according to the Chosun Ilbo daily.

"If the U.S. makes a concession to some degree, we will also make a concession to some degree, whether it be bilateral talks or six-party talks," Kim was quoted as telling the envoy, the newspaper reported.

The apparent softening of North Korea's stance came amid reports that 100,000 people gathered in central Pyongyang on Friday in support of the nuclear test.

Cheering soldiers and citizens gathered to "hail the success of the historic nuclear test," according to the country's official Korean Central News Agency.

China appeals for calm

Earlier Friday, China appealed for "cool-headedness" in the brewing crisis.

"We hope all relevant parties will maintain cool-headedness, adopt a prudent and a responsible approach, and adhere to peaceful dialogue," Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Beijing.

Rice is touring the region to discuss UN sanctions against North Korea with officials from Japan, China and Russia.

The UN Security Council voted unanimously to impose sanctions on the reclusive Communist state, a move the North Korean leader said amounted to a declaration of war.

Rice said she and her Chinese counterpart discussed "the importance of leaving open a path to negotiation," through the six-way arms talks. Pyongyang has boycotted the talks since last year, when the U.S. imposed financial sanctions against a number of North Korean companies.

Her conciliatory tone appeared to be aimed at keeping Beijing's co-operation, which is key to enforcing the sanctions. The U.S.-backed sanctions were watered down partly at China's request, but China's vote in favour of punishment still represents a shift for Beijing.

Meeting 'not in vain,' says envoy

Li assured Rice that China would meet its obligations, but avoided the word sanctions.

"China has an excellent track record in playing a constructive role in the international community and in honouring all of our commitments," he said.

China's four major state-owned banks, as well as British-owned HSBC Corp., have cut financial transfers to the North, said Chinese bank employees.

Li told reporters Friday that the meeting between Tang and North Korean officials "increased mutual understanding.

"Everyone discussed how to restart progress in the six-party talks as quickly as possible," he said.

Tang told Rice his visit "has not been in vain," before reporters were ushered from the room. No further details were immediately available about Tang's trip.

With files from the Associated Press