CNN’s Suzanne Malveux, travelling with the President, reported on American Morning regarding a terse exchange between President Bush and South Korea’s President. Transcript follows…

CHETRY: Also new this morning, a major development out of North Korea. The State Department says that experts from the U.S. are going to be traveling to North Korea next week. They’re going to be surveying nuclear sites ahead of the planned shutdown.

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CHRISTOPHER HILL, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: So I think it’s a good step. We have to see what the results are of the visit. Our hope is that they can agree on some disabling measures that are, first of all, meet the definition of disabling, which is to make it very difficult to bring a facility back online.

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CHETRY: Two other nuclear powers will join the U.S. on the trip. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is live in Sydney, Australia, with details for us today.

Hi, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kiran.

This really is a dramatic development. You heard from the U.S. negotiator, Chris Hill, who made the announcement here in Sydney. He said it’s really a technical meeting to try to figure out how to disability those nuclear facilities, if it’s pouring concrete or cutting cables, to make sure the North Koreans understand what the international communities is looking for in disabling those facilities.

Very important on a technical aspect, but also political as well. And we learned earlier today President Bush met with South Korea’s president. Both of them talking about North Korea. A very important topic for both of them. They seem to be on the same page. But then a very unusual exchange.

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MALVEAUX, (voice over): It was a rare, unscripted exchange. President Bush publicly challenged to explain his position on how to formally end the Korean War. It happened after private talks and pleasantries with South Korea’s president Roh Moo-hyun.

ROH MOO-HYUN, SOUTH KOREA, (through translator): I think I might be wrong. I think I did not hear President Bush mention a declaration to end the Korean War as of just now. Did you say so, President Bush?

MALVEAUX: Surprised, President Bush reaffirmed U.S./Korean policy. The U.S. will only initiate a formal declaration of peace between North and South Korea after North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-il no longer poses a threat.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I said to President Kim Jong-il as to whether not we’re able to sign a peace treaty and end the Korean War. He’s got to get rid of his weapons and verifiable (ph) sanctions.

MALVEAUX: But Roh, throwing his head back with laughter, was not satisfied.

MOO-HYUN: I believe that they are the same thing, Mr. President. If you could be a little bit clear in your message, I think, (INAUDIBLE).

BUSH: I can’t make it any more clearer Mr. President. We look forward to the day when we end the Korean War. That will end — it will happen when Kim Jong-il verifiably gets rid of his weapons programs and his weapons.

MALVEAUX: South Korea plays a vital role as a member of the six- party talks aimed at convincing North Korea to disarm. The country is also eager to reunite with its northern neighbor. But with more than 37,000 U.S. troops, helping keep the peace along the North/South Korean border, the Bush administration is reluctant to make any changes while it still considers North Korea threat.

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MALVEAUX: And, Kiran, White House officials insist that this was a case of lost in translation. That both of these leaders are in agreement in terms of North Korea’s role and what it needs to do in the future. That there is no tension between these two leaders. And as you know, Kiran, of course, domestic politics also playing a role in this for South Korea’s leader.

Kiran.

CHETRY: Suzanne Malveaux reporting from Sydney, Australia, for us. Thank you.