US President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, have urged North Korea to return to international nuclear negotiations.
The two leaders promised the North major economic aid in return.
Following talks in the South Korean capital, Seoul, Mr Obama said it would be good for the people of North Korea to rejoin the international community.
South Korea is the last stop on an Asian tour which has taken Mr Obama to Japan, Singapore and China.
The two presidents also agreed to make progress on a free trade agreement which was signed two years ago but has still not been ratified.
Close co-ordination
Mr Obama described Mr Lee as his "good friend" and said his welcome to South Korea had been "spectacular".
The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says the visit stressed the close, warm relationship between the conservative Mr Lee and Mr Obama.
The US president was greeted by friendly roadside crowds and an elaborate welcome ceremony, was given a Tae Kwon Do uniform and honorary black belt, and said he was looking forward to a Korean barbecue lunch.
The two leaders reaffirmed their unity of view and approach on the North Korea issue.
They said they were seeking to break the pattern whereby the North would raise tension, agree to talks and then back off without making progress.
"The thing I want to emphasis is that President Lee and I both agree that we want to break the pattern that existed in the past, in which North Korea behaves in a provocative fashion, and then is willing to return to talk... and then that leads to seeking further concessions," Mr Obama said.
Mr Obama said his nuclear envoy, Stephen Bosworth, would be visiting North Korea on 8 December.
Mr Lee spoke again of his "grand bargain" proposal, under which the North would close its nuclear programmes in return for aid.
"I hope that by accepting our proposal, the North will secure safety for itself, improve the quality of life for its people and open the path to a new future," said Mr Lee.
Trading talk
The two men also spoke of trade tensions and the need to move forward in their important economic relationship.
Both Mr Obama and South Korean officials have said obstacles to a yet-to-be ratified free trade agreement must be addressed.
"If automobiles are a problem, we are in a position to discuss them again," Mr Lee said, in a shift from a previous refusal to renegotiate the biggest free trade pact involving the US for years.
"I told President Lee and his team that I am committed to see the two countries work together to move this agreement forward," Mr Obama said.
About 13,000 police and soldiers have been deployed to provide security for Mr Obama's visit.
South Korean protesters have urged the US president to do more about North Korea's human rights record. Demonstrators have also protested against his presence.
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