N. Korean leader takes wait-and-see stance toward U.S.: sources

BEIJING, Feb. 4 Kyodo - North Korean leader Kim Jong Il told a Chinese official who recently visited
Pyongyang that he is waiting to see the policies of the new U.S.
administration, in what was believed to be an indication his country will not
make major moves until they become clear, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.
The comments, made to Wang Jiarui, head of the Chinese Communist Party's
International Department, are the first known to have come from the leader
about the U.S. administration since President Barack Obama took office in late
January.
According to the sources, Kim made the remarks when his conversation with Wang
shifted to Obama's inauguration ceremony. The North Korean leader did not
elaborate, they said.
North Korea's official media, which is the usual outlet for the country's
public views, have yet to issue opinions about the new U.S. administration, a
move observers interpret as Pyongyang's desire to first see the direction it
will take.
North Korea sees the United States as its main rival.
The sources also said that while the health of the leader has been the center
of much speculation, with some saying that he may be suffering aftereffects of
a stroke, Kim's movements during the meetings and meals did not seem unnatural
to the Chinese officials.
Wang visited North Korea and met with Kim on Jan. 23, becoming the first senior
foreign figure to hold talks with the leader since reports of his ill-health
surfaced last year.
==Kyodo