A top UN official will travel to North Korea this week for talks with officials there, a UN spokesman said Monday, amid heightened tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Jeffrey Feltman, the UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, "will discuss with DPRK officials issues of mutual interest and concern," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, using the acronym for North Korea's official name.

Feltman will visit North Korea from Tuesday to Friday, he said