South Korean President Mr Kim Dae-jung today urged North Korea to respond unconditionally to repeated US offers to restart talks between Washington and Pyongyang.
The Bush administration put its North Korea relations on hold for a policy review early last year. In June, Washington offered Pyongyang talks with no strings attached, but North Korea has not taken up the open offer.
The Bush administration has said it would like to meet the North Koreans "anywhere and at any time".
"We encourage North Korea to accept the US offer without conditions," President Kim told a news conference at the Blue House presidential mansion. "We think that the United States must take a stance that helps North Korea save face," he said without elaborating.
He said there were no clear prospects for US-North Korean relations but that he would hold detailed talks with President Bush next month. President Bush will spend February 19th and 20th in Seoul, in between visits to Japan and China.
President Kim Dae-jung also apologised to South Koreans today for a spate of influence-peddling scandals that have ensnared senior officials, and he vowed to step up the fight against corruption in his last year in office.
He also said he expected the South Korean economy to recover this year, partially because the soccer World Cup finals being co-hosted with Japan would offer a lifetime chance to promote the country.