South Korea is applying a brake on Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

As part of efforts toward that end, Seoul is taking a leading role in pushing for the reform in the international organization.

"We are poised to proactively raise the issue through various international channels with the support of other nations," presidential spokesman Kim Jong-min told The Korea Times.

He noted that President Roh Moo-hyun initiated the move through his statement at the first summit meeting of the Asia-Europe Meeting Friday.

Leaders from the 38 participating nations and the European Commission reiterated their support for the ongoing reform of the multilateral body and its principal organs, with a view to strengthening and enhancing the representativeness, transparency and effectiveness of the U.N. system through a chairman's statement issued at the end of the session Saturday.

This echoed Roh statement during the meeting as he underlined the need that any nation wishing to acquire the permanent membership of the Security Council should first obtain trust from the relevant regional nations -- apparently referring to Japan, which has been desperate to get a post.

"What is needed for a hopeful nation is for it to secure the confidence of nearby countries in regards to its willingness and capability to contribute to fomenting reasonable order in the region after obtaining a seat at the security council," Roh said.

President Roh Moo-hyun's secretary on foreign policy Chung Woo-sung expressed an aversion towards Japan's bid toward the membership. "We have not been welcoming the attempts to increase the number of permanent members of the Security Council."

"Japan has to obtain trust from nations in the region first," he said.

Seoul has been seeking to acquire non-standing membership on the council amid moves to increase the number of such members, but it is maintaining a cautious attitude and is poised to use Japan's bid as a bargaining chip.

South Korea suffered from colonial rule by Japan from 1910-1945 and has been concerned about Japan's move to build up its military strength and influence in the region and international community.

"But it does not mean we are targeting a certain nation when talking about our stance over the U.N. issue," Chung added. "It only indicates our principle in case the council actually decides to increase the number of member nations."

Germany has also been seeking permanent Security Council membership.

Source: Agencies