U.S. President George W. Bush has reportedly reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to peacefully resolving all issues concerning North Korea, including its nuclear standoff.

Bush made the remarks Thursday as he received the credentials of Seoul’s new ambassador to the U.S., Lee Tae-shik.

Lee quoted Bush as saying that his deep interest in Pyongyang’s human rights condition was not based on hostility toward the communist state as claimed by the North but based on his religious beliefs as a Christian.

On Seoul-Washington relations, Bush said that the two nations have continuously pursued development in their alliance based on close cooperation, adding that he hopes to discuss measures to further strengthen such ties at his summit talks with President Roh Moo-hyun next week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

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