Bush says to formally end Korean War if N. Korea drops nuke programs

U.S. President George W. Bush said Friday the United States would be willing to conclude a peace treaty to formally terminate the Korean War if North Korea scraps its nuclear programs.

Bush made the remarks to reporters after talks with South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun on the sidelines of this weekend's summit of leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Asked by Roh to be more clear about his position on an official end to the 1950-1953 Korean War, Bush said, ''I can't make it any more clear, Mr. President, we look forward to the day when we can end the Korean War. That will happen when Kim Jong Il verifiably gets rid of his weapons programs and his weapons.''

The two Koreas, divided since 1945, are still technically in a state of war as the Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. The United States fought the war on South Korea's side and North Korea was backed by China.