Seoul, South Korea, Oct 8, SPA -- North Korea informed China it may drop its plan to test its first atomic bomb if the United States holds bilateral talks with the communistcountry, a former South Korean lawmaker said Sunday. The North also denied speculation that its nuclear testwas imminent and said the regime has not raised the alertlevel of the country's military, Jang Sung-min said, citinga telephone conversation with an unidentified Chinesediplomatic official. North Korea warned the Chinese official, however, that it would accelerate its preparations for a nuclear test if theUnited States moves toward imposing sanctions or launching a military attack, Jang said, citing his contact. The Chinese official was informed of North Korea's stance by North Korean officials Sunday afternoon, Jang said. The official then telephoned Jang in South Korea with the news, the Associated Press reported. Jang is a former lawmaker of the then-ruling Millennium Democratic Party which later split into the ruling Uri Party and an opposition party. He currently heads a policy think tank in Seoul and has been active in Northeast Asian affairs. The Chinese official's comments cannot be independently confirmed, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/394832