U.S. President George W. Bush met with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun at the White House Thursday, with the two sides vowing to persuade the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to return to stalled six-party talks.

Speaking to reporters after the talks Roh, Bush said that "We reaffirmed our commitment to the six-party talks so that we can peacefully deal with the nuclear issue."

Bush said Pyongyang's refusal to return to six-party talks "has really strengthened the alliance" of the United States, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia trying to convince the DPRK to abandon its nuclear program.

The five countries were "determined to resolve this issue peacefully," but they recognized a threat posed by a country in the region armed with a nuclear weapon, Bush said.

Bush urged Pyongyang to abandon its atomic weapons program in return for energy and other aid as well as security guarantees.

"The incentive is for (DPRK leader) Kim Jong-il to understand that there is a better way to improve the livelihood of his people than be isolated," he said.

Roh said, "we are working very hard for the resumption of the six-party talks," noting "This is not the appropriate time to think about the possibility of a failure of the six-party process. "

The six-party talks have been at a year-long standstill since the DPRK boycotted over U.S. financial restrictions aimed at Pyongyang. In last September, Pyongyang agreed in principle to give up its nuclear weapons program in exchange for aid and security and diplomatic guarantees.

Source: Xinhua