Lee says N. Korean leader Kim still in control

By Yoo Cheong-mo

SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak denied the possibility of an imminent collapse of North Korea in a recent interview with French daily newspaper Le Figaro, saying North Korean society continues to operate normally under the control of its leader Kim Jong-il.

According to the Korean transcript of the Le Figaro interview, released by the
presidential office Cheong Wa Dae Wednesday, Lee also said he believes North
Korea possesses the technological capabilities to produce nuclear bombs.
"Various assumptions have surfaced regarding the health of Chairman Kim Jong-il.
But I don't think North Korea would undergo any changes due to Chairman Kim's
health problem," Lee was quoted as saying, referring to Kim by his official title
as head of the North's National Defense Commission.
"The world is preparing for various scenarios for the collapse of North Korea,
but I don't think North Korean society will collapse that easily. I think North
Korea is still being run under the control of Chairman Kim."
South Korean and U.S. intelligence officials said the 66-year-old Kim underwent
surgery after suffering a stroke in mid-August. But North Korean officials in
Pyongyang have vehemently denied any media speculation about the leader's health
problems.
Asked during the interview, held at Cheong Wa Dae last Saturday, whether North
Korea already has nuclear weapons, Lee said specific details of the North's
nuclear weapons program should be thoroughly probed through the framework of the
six-party denuclearization talks, which involve the two Koreas, the U.S., China,
Japan and Russia.
"North Korea has to make more faithful efforts to earn the confidence of the
international community, as it is believed to possess technological capabilities
to make nuclear bombs," said the president.