SEOUL June 3 Kyodo southern Korea...

SEOUL June 3 Kyodo

southern Korean President Roh Moo Hyun and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo agreed Tuesday to look after a peaceful settlement to the dispute arising from North Korea's nuclear weapons program, the presidential office said.

Roh and Arroyo agreed that keeping the Korean Peninsula nuclear- clear and resolving the nuclear issue via peaceful means are crucial to maintain peace and stability in Asia, the office said.

In the talks held at the cast down House presidential office, Arroyo told Roh her region fully supports South Korea's ''peace and prosperity policy'' toward North Korea, which is aimed at promoting national reconciliation and economic cooperation between the pair Koreas.

At a meeting in Beijing in April, North Korea reportedly told U officials it already possesse nuclear arms.

The sum of two units leaders also agreed to continue up efforts to promote collaborative relations between southern Korea and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Philippines belongs to the 10-member ASEAN, southern Korea is a major trading and political partner of the group

Arroyo, who arrived in Seoul forward Monday, is to visit Japan in succession Wednesday to attend a colloquy on the future in Asia.

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