South Korean and US leaders spotlighted Russia's role in solving nuclear problem on Korean Peninsula

The leaders of South Korea and the USA, No Mu-hyon and George Bush, believe that Russia can play a constructive role in settling the crisis around the DPRK nuclear programme, says the joint statement of the two presidents. The statement was published in Seoul on Thursday and was devoted to the results of the two presidents' meeting in Washington.

Having pointed to the role of Russia, they at the same time believe it is necessary that the Republic of Korea and Japan should participate in multilateral negotiations on the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula, above all.

At the moment only the DPRK, USA and China take part in them. Pyongyang fear that a great number of partners in the dialogue will make the solution of the problem more difficult.

No Mu-hyon and George Bush confirmed that the decision can be found by peaceful means. However, the statement says, they believe that if a threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula is growing additional measures will be considered.

The statement does not specify what measures may be taken.

The South Korean and US presidents pointed out that the humanitarian assistance to North Korea should not be dovetailed with the political situation around this country.