President Roh Moo-hyun says he will grant many concessions to North Korea in the future.

Speaking to a group of ethnic Koreans in Mongolia Tuesday during his eight-day, three-nation tour, Roh said that while Seoul cannot yield everything to Pyongyang, it will offer unconditional institutional and physical aid. Roh added, however, that the support would not lack principles.

Roh also stressed that he has said many times before that he's completely open to talks with North Korea anytime, anywhere and on any subject, and voiced hope for a successful visit to the North next month by former president Kim Dae-jung.

He said he does want the collapse of the Pyongyang regime but the co-development of the two Koreas.

Some experts interpret Roh's remarks as expressing commitment to a second inter-Korean summit, as the remarks come ahead of Kim's visit to Pyongyang, where the former president is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

A senior presidential official said the remarks merely reiterate the government stance on a summit with Kim Jong-il and denied any change in state policy on the matter.

At the gathering of ethnic Koreans in Mongolia, Roh also stressed the need to root out mistrust between the two Koreas and allay Pyongyang's suspicion that Seoul wishes for its collapse.

Roh, who arrived in Ulaanbaatar Sunday, will leave for Azerbaijan Wednesday for the second leg of his trip.