(LEAD) Lee, Xi agree on closer cooperation on N. Korea, climate change

By Lee Chi-dong
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with presidential office briefing, other details)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Chinese Vice
President Xi Jinping agreed Thursday to step up joint efforts to denuclearize
North Korea and stem climate change, Lee's office said.

"For South Korea, China is not a mere economic partner but a very close partner
in dealing with the North Korean nuclear problem and various other issues," Lee
told Xi in their one-hour meeting here, according to presidential spokesman Park
Sun-kyoo.
The president noted China's role as chair of the six-party nuclear talks, the
main vehicle in efforts to dismantle the North's nuclear program and break its
diplomatic isolation.
"I think next year will be an important juncture in resolving the North Korean
nuclear issue. I hope China will play a bigger role," Lee was quoted as telling
Xi.
In response, Xi, seen as a likely successor to President Hu Jintao, said South
Korea also needs to push for inter-Korean reconciliation through dialogue and
play a decisive role in resuming the six-way talks and improving the security
condition on the peninsula, Park said.
In a brief formal conversation at Lee's office, the leaders also agreed to
strengthen the partnership between the neighboring countries for the successful
hosting of major international events, including the G-20 economic summit to be
held in Seoul next year, the 2010 Shanghai Expo in China, and the 2012 Yeosu Expo
in South Korean port city.
Afterward, the two had a breakfast meeting for about 50 minutes in which they
spent a relatively long amount time discussing green growth, shortly before Lee
was to depart for Copenhagen to attend the U.N. Climate Change Summit.
President Lee was quoted as saying that prospects for the global fight against
climate change are not as dark as some advanced countries have forecast because
related technologies continue to be developed.
He added the U.N. summit in Copenhagen may not produce a perfect agreement, but
could serve as a good starting point.
Xi was quoted as telling Lee that China will actively participate in the world's
efforts against climate change, but that a forceful limit on economic growth is
not in its interest.
The vice president arrived here on Wednesday night for a four-day stay as part of
his regional tour. He has traveled to Japan and also plans to visit Myanmar and
Cambodia.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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