"We deplore the attack on March 26 that caused the sinking of the Republic of Korea's naval vessel, the Cheonan, resulting in tragic loss of 46 lives," Group of Eight leaders said in a final communique.

Recalling that a multinational investigation blamed Pyongyang for sinking the ship, the statement added: "We condemn, in this context, the attack which led to the sinking of the Cheonan."

US President Barack Obama, who met on the sidelines of the G8 and G20 summits with South Korean leader Lee Myung-Bak, slammed Pyongyang for its "irresponsible behavior."

"We stand foursquare behind him," Obama said as he met with Lee, who vowed Seoul "will react swiftly and strongly" to prevent another attack by North Korea.

Tensions have surged on the Korean peninsula after the multinational investigation found the North torpedoed the 1,200-tonne Cheonan near the disputed Yellow Sea border.

Pyongyang has angrily denied any responsibility and threatened military retaliation if it is slapped with international censure.

The G8 leaders called for "appropriate measures to be taken against those reponsible for the attack" and said they supported Seoul in "its efforts to seek accountability for the Cheonan incident."

"We demand that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) refrain from committing any attacks or threatening hostilities against the Republic of Korea," it added.

The United States hailed the G8 communique as providing "very strong momentum" toward possible UN action against Pyongyang.

"What we have seen is an egregious attack on international norms... it was very important for G8 leaders to step up and condemn this," a US official said, asking not to be named.

Japan, Canada and the United States led moves for an outright condemnation of North Korea following the sinking of the Cheonan.

"Canada's view is that there has to be a strong condemnation of these attacks and that... we must state strongly that they must not carry on such attacks in the future," Canadian government spokesman Dimitri Soudas said.

He branded the sinking of the warship "a very serious provocation and threat to regional and international stability."

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan told German Chancellor Angela Merkel in one-on-one talks on Friday that "it is important for (the) G8 to support South Korea and issue a clear message of condemnation against (the) DPRK."

In separate talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Kan said the alleged North Korean torpedo attack "is a threat to the peace and stability of the region, including Japan," according to Japanese government spokesman Kazuo Kodama.

South Korea and the United States are pressing the UN Security Council to censure the hardline communist state over the incident.

The US official said the G8 statement "provides very strong momentum which we want to build on in New York."

Four of the five permanent members of the council -- Britain, France, Russia and the United States -- are part of the G8.

China, the fifth veto-wielding member in the Security Council, and Russia are closer to the reclusive North Korean regime and have refused to cast judgment on the investigation until they assess the findings themselves.

Obama discussed concerns over North Korea with Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday and was also expected to raise the issue with Chinese President Hu Jintao later Saturday.

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