President Roh Moo-Hyun says all the parties of the six nation talks should make efforts to improve relations with North Korea in spite of all the issues pending between their bilateral ties.

He was speaking to visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura Saturday morning.

Vice Presidential spokesman, Kim Man-su said Roh and Machimura shared the view that the six party talks should be carried on smoothly for the North Korean nuclear issue to be resolved.

The two agreed that relations between Japan and Korea are in a wholesome state based on firm and substantial cooperation.

Machimura said Tokyo will try harder to promote bilateral relations as the two nations will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their normalized diplomatic relations next year.