Obama Urges North Korea To Change

US President Barack Obama

and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, have urged North Korea to return to international nuclear negotiations.

The two leaders, speaking at a joint press conference in Seoul, promised the North major economic aid in return.

They also agreed to make progress on a free trade agreement signed in 2007, which has still not been ratified.

The meeting came on the last day of Mr Obama's Asian tour, which was designed to revive US diplomacy in the region. He has already visited Japan, Singapore and China.

Close co-ordination
Mr Obama described Mr Lee as his "good friend" and said his welcome to South Korea had been "spectacular".

The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says the visit stressed the close, warm relationship between the conservative Mr Lee and Mr Obama.

The US president was greeted by friendly roadside crowds and given a Tae Kwon Do uniform and honorary black belt. He said he was looking forward to a Korean barbecue lunch.

The two leaders reaffirmed their unity of view and approach on the North Korea issue.

They said they were seeking to break the pattern whereby the North would raise tensions, agree to talks and then back off without making progress.

Source: BBC