Beijing: A top North Korean official made an unexpected visit to China on Tuesday in an apparent attempt by Pyongyang to mend frayed ties with its powerful neighbour, Japanese media reported.

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Beijing is North Korea`s largest trading partner and has been its key diplomatic protector for decades, but ties have been strained recently by Pyongyang`s internationally-condemned nuclear test program, with Beijing supporting UN sanctions against its isolated neighbour.

Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of the North`s ruling Workers` Party, arrived in Beijing to brief Chinese officials on a once-in-a-generation party congress held earlier this month, Kyodo news reported.

The lack of any official Chinese representation at the congress -- which cemented leader Kim Jong-Un`s grip on power -- was viewed as a sign of friction between the two traditional allies.

The visit came even as South Korea said Tuesday the North failed in what was believed to be an attempted launch of a powerful new medium-range missile.

UN resolutions ban North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, although it regularly fires short-range missiles into the sea off its east coast.

China`s official Xinhua news agency said Ri -- a former foreign minister -- would visit for three days as part of a delegation.

Ri is the highest-ranking North Korean official to visit China since last year when Kim Jong-Un`s close aide Choe Ryong Hae attended a military parade in Beijing to mark 70th anniversary of Japan`s defeat in World War II, Kyodo reported.

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