South Korea began assessing the aftermath of US President George W. Bush's reelection on Thursday,focusing on how the second-term Bush administration will deal with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

According to local media reports, South Korean government departments and the country's legislative body were busy with analyzing possible change in the US foreign policy and security lineup.

As soon as a new US cabinet is formed, South Korean officials plan to contact their US counterparts to exchange views on DPRK and other issues of concern, South Korean national news Agency Yonhap quoted government officials as reporting.

Hours after South Korean President send congratulatory message to Bush, South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said Roh will hold one-on-one meeting with Bush on the sideline of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum which is to be convened later this month in Chile.

"The next US administration is expected to make active efforts to resolve the North Korean (DPRK) nuclear issue as soon as possible," Ban said.

The fourth round six-party talks failed to be convened in September as schedule.

Week before the US presidential election, US Secretary of the State Colin Powell visited Japan, China and South Korea to hold discussions on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. Powell said his government hopes the six-party talks can be resumed as soon as possible.

Source: Xinhua