Lee surprised by Obama's 'positive' view of S. Korea

By Yoo Cheong-mo

SEOUL, Nov. 7 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said he was surprised by Barack Obama's "positive thinking" about South Korea while talking to the U.S. president-elect over the phone on Friday.

Lee made the remark in his meeting with former U.S. Secretary of State Colin
Powell, who arrived in Seoul on Friday morning after his visit to Hong Kong and
Bangkok.
Lee asked Powell to help strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance under the Obama
presidency after exchanging views on pending bilateral and global issues. Powell,
a Republican who served as secretary of state under the Bush administration,
declared his endorsement for Democrat Obama in the middle of October.
"I talked to President-elect Obama by phone this morning and was very surprised
to learn that he has a very positive attitude towards (South Korea)," Lee said.
"I had thought he may know little about Korea, but he spoke well about the
country, probably because of help from acquaintances like Secretary Powell," said
the president.
Obama called Lee early Friday morning. The two spoke mostly about the South
Korea-U.S. alliance and regional issues during their 12 minute conversation.
In a show of personal friendship, Obama told Lee that he is a "great admirer" of
South Korea and its people, and disclosed that traditional Korean dishes, like
bulgogi and kimchi, are among his favorite foods.
Obama also displayed a strong interest in the personal history of President Lee,
saying he respects and is well aware of the president's life and his
accomplishments as a Hyundai CEO.