With US President George W. Bush's two-day Seoul visit scheduled on February 19, the Korean government requested Wednesday that he send an amicable message to Pyongyang to resolve tension built up since Bush's "axis of evil" remarks according to diplomatic sources.

The sources continued that Seoul is asking Washington to refrain from making provocative remarks against the North as insecurity and anti-American sentiment has been spreading in the South since Bush's State of the Union address on January 29, adding that Seoul's apprehension has been delivered to Bush administration's policy decision makers, who expressed understanding in principle.

One Cheong Wa Dae high-ranking official added that Korea and the US state heads would have an in-depth discussion on Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction at the summit meeting, stressing that the two countries agreed that the issue must be solved by dialogue.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Choi Sung-hong held a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Colin Powell, Secretary of State, Tuesday, explaining the internal situation and requesting Washington's cooperation, and Powell reacted positively. MOFAT added that the two countries' foreign affairs authorities agreed to mutually endeavor for a successful visit and summit meeting.

Prior to this, Im Seong-jun, Cheong Wa Dae Senior Secretary to the President for Foreign Policy and National Security had reiterated Seoul's concern to White House Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice on February 10.

(Kim Min-bae, baibai@chosun.com )