South Korea, Japan calling for new approach on DPRK's nuclear issue

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South Korea and Japan are calling for a new approach on the DPRK's nuclear issue. Leaders of the two countries agree that no aid should go to the DPRK without denuclearization.

The leaders of South Korea and Japan took a united front in Seoul. They say countries need to strictly enforce UN sanctions, while keeping the door open to dialogue.

Japanese PM Yukio 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."

South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak, says they didn't want to repeat previous mistakes in the often-stalled nuclear negotiations.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said, "We agree 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."

Hatoyama says he supports Lee's proposal to offer a so-called grand bargain of aid and concession in exchange for denuclearizaiton, rather than the step-by-step process pursued over the past six years.

Lee says he is confident the DPRK will return to the six-party nuclear talks after Pyongyang holds direct negotiations with Washington.

Earlier in the week, DPRK leader, Kim Jong Il said his country could rejoin the stalled six-party talks depending on progress in its negotiations with the United States.