US consults allies on N.Korea

Foreign ministry officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea have been discussing their policies towards North Korea.

The talks in Seoul are the first since President Bush took office in January.

They follow signs of new tension between the United States and North Korea.

President Bush has expressed scepticism about North Korea's desire for peace, prompting the authorities in Pyongyang to threaten to resume their nuclear programme.

But the BBC's correspondent in Seoul says the talks are regarded as an important signal that Washington intends to continue to consult closely with its Asian allies over North Korea.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service