The leaders of the United States and South Korea say they agree on the need to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear controversy, as well as the principles of a U.N. resolution imposing sanctions on the Pyongyang government.
President Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun met Saturday in Hanoi on the sidelines of the opening of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
The United States, Japan, Russia, China and the two Koreas are involved in six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program.
On Friday, Mr. Bush said he will urge other nations to fully implement U.N. sanctions imposed against North Korea last month. South Korea has said it cannot take part "in the full scope" of the security initiative that calls for inspecting North Korean ships.
President Bush arrived in Hanoi Friday for a two-day APEC summit, which begins Saturday
The president is using the APEC summit as an opportunity to discuss North Korea's nuclear program with leaders from other nations involved in the six-party talks. He is scheduled to also hold talks with leaders from Russia and China on the sidelines of the summit.
President Bush is the second U.S. president to visit the country since the end of the Vietnam war. His predecessor, Bill Clinton, was the first.
Mr. Bush's visit to Vietnam is part of a six-day, three-nation tour of Southeast Asia. He arrived in Vietnam from Singapore and will visit Indonesia before returning Tuesday to the United States.