President Roh Moo-hyun says South Korea will offer a massive economic aid to North Korea if it abandons its nuclear weapons program.

Speaking at a forum celebrating the fourth anniversary of the June 15th South-North summit, the president said his government is drawing up a comprehensive and specific economic aid package it would provide to the North after the nuclear standoff is resolved.

Mr. Roh said the government is working out the aid package in anticipation of an accelerated inter-Korean cooperation once the nuclear impasse is resolved peacefully.

The president also promised full cooperation to help the North rebuild its dilapidated infrastructure, drastically improve its moribund economy and join the international community.

Roh said the 2000 South-North joint declaration had marked a historic turning point, which thawed decades of Cold War confrontation between the two Koreas by promoting a mood of reconciliation and cooperation.