US President George W. Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun have set aside their differences on North Korea and agreed that a nuclear-armed Pyongyang is unacceptable.

They said in a joint statement that "a nuclear-armed North Korea will not be tolerated" and that the issue "should be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic means" and called on North Korea to act "promptly and verifiably."

Bush gave no ground on Washington's position that North Korea will not get the light-water atomic reactor it wants for producing energy until it has verifiably dismantled its nuclear weapons and the programs to make them.

The two leaders also recommitted themselves to six-country talks -- with Russia, China and Japan the other partners in negotiations with North Korea -- and Roh said a new round of negotiations should start as soon as possible.

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US President George W. Bush (L) and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun. (AFP)