South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday that his government is taking full security measures against possible attacks by North Korea and al-Qaida militants before and during next week's G-20 summit in Seoul.
"The South Korean government is looking at (various moves that can be taken by) North Korea and terrorist groups and making thorough preparations," Lee said in a special press conference held a week before the opening of the two-day summit.
Seoul officials are on heightened alert after Tuesday's explosion of a South Korea-operated oil pipeline in Yemem, presumably caused by an al-Qaida terrorist attack.
Lee, however, said al-Qaida's responsibility has not yet been confirmed.
On North Korea, which has often unleashed provocations when its capitalist neighbour hosted major international events, the president expressed hope that the communist regime will refrain from such behaviour.
"I think North Korea will not act out on a meeting in which global leaders gather and deal with world economic issues," Lee said, adding the United States and China are warning the North against any provocation in connection with the G-20 summit.
Lee also said North Korea can benefit from the G-20 members' move to support the development of impoverished nations if it adopts Chinese-style reforms and a market opening.
He reiterated that South Korea stands ready to help the North, but it is "fully up to the North Korean authorities."
In their summit, Lee said the G-20 leaders plan to announce 100 major action plans for the development of poor countries.