President Roh Moo-hyun has urged a peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue as soon as possible to a visiting North Korean delegation.

Presidential spokesman Kim Man-soo said Roh made the remark in a Thursday meeting with delegation members who are in Seoul for the 15th inter-Korean ministerial talks.

The president said the South is paying due attention to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s remark that a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula is the last will of his late father and predecessor, Kim Il-sung.

Noting the genuine and sincere attitude of the two Koreas at the talks, Roh thanked the delegation for its efforts to conclude significant agreements in improving inter-Korean ties.

The North's chief delegate Kwon Ho-ung agreed with Roh's evaluation, and added Kim Jong-il instructed him to avoid confrontation and just save face during the talks.

Meanwhile, spokesman Kim denied any personal letter from the North Korean leader to Roh.