South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun and Prime Minister Koizumi meet reporters Friday in Kagoshima Prefecture.

IBUSUKI, Kagoshima Prefecture-South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun on Friday praised Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for not imposing economic sanctions against North Korea despite public outrage over the abduction issue.

``It is not clear what North Korea's intentions were,'' Roh told a news conference after being asked why North Korea falsely claimed remains brought to Japan were those of abductee Megumi Yokota.

``I understand the Japanese public's shock over this but it could have been a mistake,'' he said, adding that he is not totally against economic sanctions, but feels it is important first to investigate the facts.

Koizumi, who appeared with Roh at the news conference at an Ibusuki hotel, said he had explained to Roh about the growing anger in Japan against Pyongyang.

But Koizumi said he has not changed his stance of dealing with North Korea through both dialogue and pressure.

Koizumi also said he will continue to ask North Korea to display a sincere attitude over the abduction issue, but added that he might have to consider sanctions if Pyongyang fails to respond properly.

Roh said he recognized that Koizumi is now stuck between a rock and a hard place.

``I understand the difficult situation in Japan, but I highly evaluate the prime minister's prudent way of handling it,'' Roh told reporters.

The Japanese public and various lawmakers called for sanctions against North Korea after it became clear earlier this month that the cremated remains Pyongyang said were of Yokota, who was 13 years old when she was abducted in 1977, were of two other people.

The two leaders also confirmed they will continue to cooperate with the United States in resolving the problem of North Korea's nuclear development program and to seek an early resumption of stalled six-nation talks on the issue.

On a bilateral front, Koizumi and Roh also reaffirmed plans to conclude a free trade agreement by the end of next year.

Foreign Ministry officials said Roh mentioned Koizumi's visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine and indicated he wanted the visits to stop.

Koizumi did not refer to the issue in the talks, but told reporters that he visits the shrine to renew the vow that Japan will never again go to war.(IHT/Asahi: December 18,2004)