The United States has offered an official end to the Korean War as part of incentives offered to North Korea if Pyongyang abandons its nuclear program.

The White House announcement on Saturday came after U.S. President George W. Bush told South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun of Washington's offer of economic and security benefits if North Korea gives up its nuclear program.

Bush's press secretary told reporters that the incentives includes a formal declaration of the end of the Korean War and strengthened ties with the North in economy, culture and education.

The Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice instead of a peace agreement, thus the two Koreas are technically still at war.

After his summit with Roh, Bush said the United States aims to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue in announcing several of the proposed incentives to the North.