US President George W. Bush spoke through telephone with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun on Wednesday about the nuclear deal with North Korea, National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

"The leaders agreed on the importance of close coordination on North Korea policies," Johndroe said.

"The president stressed that the six party process has provided a way forward for North Korea, but that North Korea must live up to its commitments. The Japanese and South Korean leaders pledged to make sure that North Korea does so," Johndroe said.

Bush has said the nuclear deal with North Korea is "good progress" and a "good first step."

The six-party talks ended in Beijing on Tuesday with a joint statement on the first step toward the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Under the document, North Korea will shut down and seal the Yongbyon nuclear facility, including the reprocessing facility and invite back IAEA personnel to conduct all necessary monitoring and verifications.

According to the document, the parties agreed to the provision of emergency energy assistance to North Korea in the initial phase, and the assistance equivalent to 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil will commence within 60 days.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2007)