S. Korea, Japan urge DPRK to rejoin talks

South Korea and Japan have stepped up pressure on the DPRK to rejoin nuclear disarmament talks.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met in Seoul on Thursday to discuss Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

The DPRK has called for the lifting of UN sanctions and a peace treaty with the US, as preconditions for Pyongyang's return to the disarmament talks. But South Korea and Japan have brushed aside its demand, saying it must first return to the talks and show progress on de-nuclearisation.

The two sides also agreed to maintain a two-track policy of implementing sanctions while engaging in dialogue.

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak (R) talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (L) during their meeting at the presidential Blue House in Seoul February 11, 2010. REUTERS/Jung Yeon-Je/Pool