Kim Jong-il's stable power better for inter-Korean ties: S. Korean president

By Byun Duk-kun

SYDNEY, March 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's stable control over his communist nation is better for inter-Korean relations, at least for now, although he needs to realize cooperation, not confrontation, will bring him more good, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday.

"It appears from Chairman Kim's recent activities that there are not any serious
problems for him to continue ruling North Korea, and I think it is better to have
a stabilized North Korean regime at this point in time for inter-Korean dialogue
and cooperation," Lee said, referring to the North Korean leader by his formal
title as the chairman fo the National Defense Commission.
The remarks are rare direct evaluation of the North Korean leader, who reportedly
suffered a stroke last year, by Lee who took office a year ago. They were made in
an interview with an Australian newspaper, The Australian, on the eve of his
visit here.