South Korea and the United States have vowed active cooperation in resolving the issue of Seoul's past nuclear activities in a transparent manner.

A Foreign Ministry official said that Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon and U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell reached such an agreement on the sidelines of the 59th Session of the U.N. General Assembly underway in New York.

During their meeting, Powell again thanked Seoul for the dispatch of additional troops to war-devastated Iraq, adding that he highly regards the military capabilities of South Korean soldiers.

On reports that Pyongyang is preparing to test-launch a Rodong ballistic missile, Powell said that, even though there are indications, there's no definite information yet that North Korea is actually making such preparations.

Ban and Powell also agreed to organize a summit meeting between President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting slated to open in Chile in November.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ban is scheduled to reiterate Seoul's commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear materials as well as nuclear non-proliferation when he addresses the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday.