Diplomatic efforts are underway to realize an official visit by President Roh Moo-hyun to Japan and Russia within the year.

In a meeting with visiting ruling Uri Party floor leader Chun Jung-bae, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Wednesday that Roh is scheduled to visit Tokyo in December.

Meanwhile, Japan's Jiji Press said that Seoul and Moscow are coordinating details for Roh to make an official visit to Russia for three days from September 21st.

Jiji pointed out that the South Korean president's upcoming trip would be his first to Russia since taking office in February 2003.

The reports forecast that Roh and Russian President Vladimir Putin would reaffirm their commitment to peacefully resolve North Korea's nuclear standoff and seek substantial measures to induce Pyongyang to abandon its atomic ambitions.

Jiji added that Seoul and Moscow officials are also considering including Kazakhstan on the itinerary for Roh's Russia visit.