Bush offers peace pact to DPRK

SYDNEY: The United States would consider a peace treaty with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) if it gave up its nuclear weapons program, US President George W. Bush said on Friday.

Bush offered the possibility of a treaty at a meeting with Republic of Korea (ROK) President Roh Moo-hyun that appeared awkward and tense on the eve of the annual gathering of economic leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Bush said he would offer a new "security arrangement" for the Korean Peninsula if DPRK leader Kim Jong-il followed through with promises to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.