President Roh Moo-hyun says Seoul has already drawn up a comprehensive and substantial aid package for North Korea in the event the communist state abandons its nuclear weapons program.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Tuesday, Roh said South Korea will do its best to firmly establish peace and trust between the two Koreas while working to usher in a new order of cooperation and integration in the Northeast Asian region.

Roh has repeatedly stressed that Seoul would provide comprehensive support to Pyongyang if its nuclear issue is settled. However, it is the first time for the president to openly declare that such supportive measures have already been formulated.

Roh underlined that the North's nuclear issue must be resolved peacefully through dialogue, expressing hope that Russia would play a more constructive role in effecting progress in the six-way nuclear talks.

A South Korean government official expressed hope that the president's affirmation to help North Korea in the event of its nuclear dismantlement would have a positive effect on persuading Pyongyang to actively participate in six-party nuclear talks.