President Bush and South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung have begun talks expected to focus on the threat posed by communist North Korea.

Mr. Bush says North Korea, along with Iraq and Iran, is part of an "axis of evil" that supports terrorism and seeks weapons of mass destruction.

The two leaders did not respond to reporters' questions as the entered their meeting at President Kim's official residence, known as the Blue House. They are scheduled to hold a news conference after the meeting.

Later today (Wednesday), President Kim and Mr. Bush will visit the demilitarized zone that has separated the two Korean nations for more than 50 years.

President Bush is scheduled to speak, and U.S. officials say he will reiterate his claim that North Korea is one of the world's most dangerous regimes. But Mr. Bush is also expected to offer Pyongyang talks without preconditions.

White House officials said earlier that Mr. Bush is taking a two-track approach to North Korea -- warning its leaders they must not arm terrorists, while supporting South Korean efforts toward eventual reunification.

South Korean riot police scuffled with a group of demonstrators Tuesday outside the Seoul military base where Mr. Bush's plane arrived from Tokyo. They said Mr. Bush's "axis of evil" remark has increased tensions on the divided Korean peninsula.

State-run North Korean radio Tuesday accused Mr. Bush of trying to incite a war.

Earlier in Tokyo, Mr. Bush told Japanese legislators the United States will deter aggression against South Korea and pursue a missile defense system to protect friends and allies in Asia and elsewhere.

The president goes to China on Thursday.

(AFP, Reuters, AP)

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