Fukuda, who visited the North Korean cities of Pyongyang and Wonsan on an eight-day trip late last month, also said someone he met with was hoping for a Trump victory "because if Trump won, a certain change is sure to happen."

"Another person I met said North Korea finds it easier to talk to the Republican Party than the Democratic Party," Fukuda was quoted as saying. Another person was disappointed over Clinton as he thinks she has little interest in North Korea, according to Fukuda.

North Korea's propaganda web site DPRK Today carried a post in June that praises Trump as a "wise politician" and "a presidential nominee having foresight" while underestimating Clinton by calling her "stupid."

Fukuda said he visited the North for the sixth time this year, meeting with officials from the North's economic circles.

Prices of rice, oil and other commodities were stable, a similar level as last year, with foods and necessities imported from China almost replaced by North Korean ones, he said.

The North was not hit by a power failure for the first time this year, he said, adding that Wonsan had no problems in getting a power supply on a 24-hour basis. (Yonhap)