Lee asks Cabinet to thoroughly prepare for changes in N. Korea

By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday instructed his Cabinet to be fully prepared for an abrupt change in North Korea's political situation after being briefed on the health problems of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during an emergency late-night meeting with security-related ministers.

"Lee presided over an unscheduled meeting with security-related ministers
and senior secretaries at his office Wednesday night to deal with indications of
Kim's health problem," presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said in a media
briefing.

"At the meeting, Lee was given a report that the North Korean leader has
passed a critical moment after suffering a stroke. The Cabinet ministers also
reported to Lee that the North Korean military has not shown any unusual
moves," said the spokesman.

The president also stressed that his government has to be fully prepared for the
outbreak of an emergency situation in North Korea.

"Thorough preparations should be made to minimize confusion over changes in
North Korea's political circumstances," the president was quoted by the
spokesman as saying.

South Korea was put on maximum alert throughout Wednesday, as its government
agencies struggled to confirm a spate of intelligence and wire reports indicating
that North Korean leader Kim may be seriously ill. The National Intelligence
Service reported to the National Assembly that Kim was in the midst of recovering
from a stroke.

The latest flurry of rumors surrounding Kim's health was sparked after he failed
to appear at the North's 60th founding anniversary military parade in Pyongyang
on Tuesday, and reports surfaced of Western and Chinese doctors flying into the
communist state.

In addition, President Lee convened an unscheduled meeting early Wednesday
morning with his senior secretaries to deal with speculation about Kim's health.

ycm@yna.co.kr

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