Patience with Pyongyang paying off: SKorean president

SEOUL (AFP) - South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun on Saturday said patience exercised by his government in dealing with North Korea is paying off, declaring Pyongyang "has changed a lot."

"The two sides have made a great process in building mutual trust. Patience, concessions and moderation (in criticising the other side) are paying off," Roh told a group of his supporters.

"North Korea has also changed a lot," he said during his speech, which was also telecast live through an Internet news provider.

He said his government had been persistent in pushing through with a policy of engagement with the North despite attacks from conservatives that he was being subservient to Pyongyang.

"We have succeeded in pushing through with the principle that the North Korean nuclear issue must be resolved through dialogue, and consequently a peaceful settlement of the issue is firmly set on its course," he said.

The statement came as international efforts to persuade North Korea to end its nuclear weapons programme have hit a snag over the return of Pyongyang funds previously frozen in a Macau bank due to US money laundering accusations.

Reconciliation talks between North and South Korea also ended Friday with no agreements reached following a row over Seoul's decision to link promised food aid to Pyongyang's denuclearisation.