US President George W. Bush said Thursday that the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be solved peacefully.
"I believe the situation with North Korea (DPRK) will be resolved peacefully. As I said, it's a diplomatic issue, not a military issue, and we're working (on) all fronts," Bush told reporters at his private ranch in Crawford, Texas.
"We are working with friends and allies in the region to explain clearly to the North Koreans it's not in their nation's interest to develop and proliferate weapons of mass destruction," he added.
Speaking to reporters also in Crawford on Wednesday, Bush said that the DPRK nuclear issue is a "diplomatic showdown", not a military one.
Briefing reporters Thursday, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher reiterated that the United States had no plans to halt food aid to the DPRK although it has suspended supply of heavy oil to the Asian country.
"We've made clear that we do intend to continue to provide food and we don't intend to curtail food (aid to the DPRK) for political reasons," Boucher said.
The Bush administration has repeatedly said it seeks a diplomatic solution to the DPRK nuclear issue while insisting that all options remain at Bush's disposal.