SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The global forum among the world's 20 major economies focused on economic cooperation is expected to help the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s development effort, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Friday, local media reported.

    "G20's role will be important in terms of the DPRK's various development policies, once it gives up on its nuclear program and begins to cooperate," the president said in a meeting with the country's top 30 conglomerates, according to Seoul's Yonhap News Agency.

    The remark comes at a time when the DPRK appears ready to return to six-party negotiations over its denuclearization, with various government officials in participating countries recently hinting at an earlier-than-expected resumption of the stalled talks.

    Seoul is slated to hold five high-ranking meetings for this year's G20 summits.