Bush seeks S.Korea's cooperation on North Korea

HANOI, Saturday (Reuters)

President George W. Bush failed to persuade South Korea on Saturday to join a U.S. plan to intercept North Korean ships as he sought to stiffen Asian resolve against Pyongyang's nuclear threat.

Bush, in Vietman for an Asia Pacific summit, met South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe separately, and then jointly, in an intense focus on the North Korean challenge.

"There is no doubt when we work together we can bring peace and stability, and prosperity for our peoples," Bush said as he met the two leaders. Bush and Abe, in their first face-to-face talks since Abe replaced Junichiro Koizumi as prime minister, agreed to strengthen pursuit of a ballistic missile defence against the threat of North Korean missiles.

Roh stopped short of complete support for the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative aimed at intercepting North Korean ships. Seoul fears it would lead to armed clashes. "Although the Republic of Korea is not taking part in the full scope of the PSI, we support principles and goals of the PSI and will fully cooperate in preventing WMD (weapons of mass destruction) materials in the North Korea region," Roh told reporters as Bush sat nearby. Roh's comments reflected the political sensitivities in Seoul of getting too tough on its volatile northern neighbour.

But, to Bush's satisfaction, Roh vowed to implement "in a faithful manner" enforcement of U.N. Security Council resolution 1718, which banned trade of goods and transfer of funds to the North that could aid its arms programmes.

Washington has been pressing Seoul and other governments to take a tough stand toward Pyongyang. Bush, who considers the possibility that North Korea may export nuclear materials and technology as a grave threat, said he and Roh agreed on "our mutual desire to effectively enforce the will of the world." Bush sought to gain a friendly relationship with Abe after developing a warm friendship with Koizumi, underlined by their joint visit to Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion earlier this year.

"I told the prime minister he needs to get over to the United States quickly. I'm looking forward to hosting you," Bush said of Abe. The Japanese leader said he was looking forward to visiting the United States next year.

Speaking months after North Korea launched a series of missile tests, Abe voiced support for continued pursuit with the United States of a ballistic missile defence system.

The United States has spent billions trying to develop a system of intercepting incoming missiles before they can reach their targets but so far the technology has proved far from foolproof.

U.S. officials were pleased with what they heard from Roh.

White House spokesman Tony Snow said said Roh made the point that "(within) the political constraints he faces, he was trying to do what he can."

Bush said he was committed to a peaceful resolution of the North Korean problem and repeated U.S. pledges to enter into security arrangements and move forward with new economic incentives should Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Bush also met leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as part of an effort to assure the United States will remain engaged in Asia.