DHAKA: US Vice-President Joe Biden has urged Japan and South Korea to "improve their relations and co-operation".

Mr Biden was in Seoul on the third leg of an Asian tour dominated by tensions over China`s newly-declared air defence zone.

China`s zone covers disputed islands controlled by Japan and an area claimed by Seoul.

Mr Biden said on Thursday China`s move had "caused significant apprehension in the region."

Mr Biden discussed the zone with South Korean leader Park Geun-hye. The issue of North Korea and ways to restart long-stalled nuclear disarmament talks were also high on the agenda.

As the meeting with Ms Park began, Mr Biden emphasised the US commitment to a strategic shift to the region.

"I want to make one thing absolutely clear: President Obama`s decision to rebalance to the Pacific basin is not in question," he said. "The United States never says anything it does not do."

In a speech later, Mr Biden said: "The entire region will be more stable and more secure if the leading democracies - Japan, South Korea and the US - are able to improve their relations and co-operation with one another."

Japan occupied Korea before and during World War II, and tensions remain between Tokyo and Seoul that have recently been exacerbated by rows over a separate disputed island and lingering historical issues.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1710 HRS, DEC 06, 2013