Former US President Jimmy Carter has arrived in the North Korean capital Pyongyang as part of a push to resolve the stand-off over the country's nuclear programme.

美国前总统吉米·卡特抵达朝鲜首都平壤以试图推动朝鲜核计划的发展。

Mr Carter is taking part in a three-day visit by the group of former world leaders known as the Elders.

They hope to meet North Korea's reclusive（隐居的） leader, Kim Jong-il.

The group includes former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari and former Irish President Mary Robinson.

As he left for Pyongyang, Mr Carter said that the group also hoped to meet Kim Jong-il's son and heir-apparent Kim Jong-un, according to AP.

But he said he was unsure whether that would happen.

During the visit they are expected to present a report to all those involved in the North Korea nuclear negotiations¹, based on meetings held in Beijing, Pyongyang and Seoul.

Food shortages² in the country are also expected to be high on the agenda³ for talks.

According to the UN, more than six million people - a quarter of the North Korean population - are under-nourished.

Ahead of his visit, Mr Carter said that authorities in the North had this year reduced the daily calorie intake⁴ from 1,400 to just 700.

A former head of the World Health Organisation⁵, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, is also taking part in the visit.

The Elders group was formed four years ago by former South African President Nelson Mandela. Members believe that their unique experience as former leaders - and their independence from any country or organisation - allows them to help resolve some of the world's most intractable（棘手的） problems.