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SEOUL : South Korea and Japan have said a new approach is needed to deal with North Korea, as previous talks appeared to have failed to convince Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions.
The statement came after South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, met Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in Seoul.
South Korea is the first Asian country which Mr Hatoyama has visited since he came into office.
The meeting between the two leaders was short, as Mr Hatoyama was in Seoul only for a day. But it was enough for the two sides to agree on how to deal with North Korea.
Mr Lee said: "We agreed on the need for a fundamental and comprehensive solution to North Korea's nuclear issues, not to repeat the negotiation tactics of the past. For this purpose, we agreed to work closely with other partners at the six-way talks over the package deal."
They also agreed not to offer assistance to North Korea, unless they were sure that Pyongyang was serious about abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
Mr Hatoyama said: "I agreed with President Lee's comprehensive deal over North Korea's nuclear or missile development. Unless there is a precise change in North Korea's actions, we will not provide economic cooperation. North Korea's will to change must be seen."
For years, rounds of talks were held with North Korea over the nuclear issue, but with little progress.
This time round, President Lee is offering a one-time grand bargain - giving aid and concessions in exchange for denuclearisation - instead of the step-by-step process pursued all these years.
Pyongyang recently indicated it was prepared to resume nuclear talks, but it wants to hold bilateral talks with Washington before doing that.
Apart from North Korea's nuclear issue, the two sides also touched on the sensitive historical issue.
Mr Hatoyama said: "I have always said we must actively and positively look straight in the face of history. This is becoming an important belief within the new government."
However, he added that resolving the differences will not be easy and will take time.
Many South Koreans still have bitter sentiments against Japan for its harsh colonial rule over Korea for 35 years from 1910.
But since the inauguration of the new Japanese prime minster, hopes are high that relations will improve.
Mr Hatoyama has repeatedly say that he wants to improve Japan's ties with Asia. - CNA/ms
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