President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il agreed Wednesday to issue a joint declaration the next morning summarizing their summit talks in Pyongyang.

Presidential Spokesman Cheon Ho-seon told reporters that the agreement was reached during the afternoon summit session held from 2:45 p.m. to 4:25 p.m.

The North Korean leader made a surprise proposal during the session that Mr. Roh stay an extra day, which he retracted at the end of their meeting. Cheon quoted Kim as saying that the talks had been sufficient and that thus there was no need for the South Korean leader to stay longer.

The North Korean leader will host a luncheon for Mr. Roh on Thursday, the last day of the three-day summit visit.