South Korea's Foreign Minister, Mr Han Seung-soo, yesterday urged the United States to resume talks soon with North Korea, saying its ties with Pyongyang were suffering from the "uncertainties" of Washington's policy review.
"I really think that with the hardline policy of the US administration, our relationship with North Korea is being affected," Mr Han said in an interview.
President Bush's policies have been viewed as undercutting efforts by President Kim Dae-jung of South Korea to advance his dialogue with the North Korean leader, Mr Kim Jong-il, since their historic summit in Pyongyang last June.