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Staff Reporter
President Roh Moo-hyun Thursday called North Korean leader Kim Jong-il a leader with charisma and a firm belief in the North Korean system.
When asked about his impression of Kim during a meeting with reporters at Cheong Wa Dae, Roh said Kim's ability in conducting state affairs surprised him.
``What surprised me was that Kim was aware of state affairs in detail,'' Roh said.
He said the North Korean leader gave clear-cut answers, for instance, ``yes'' or ``no.''
He described Kim as ``unequivocal, confident, strongly convinced in the regime and thoroughly versed in state affairs.''
Roh said other North Korean leaders whom he met looked somewhat rigid.
He expressed his intention to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War during his presidency, as a prior step to replacing the armistice with a peace treaty on the Korean Peninsula.
``I'd like to see a declaration ending the Korean War during my presidency though I think achieving the goal is difficult,'' Roh said.
He added that the timing of this would be fixed according to progress in the six-party talks.
``The agreement made in the Oct. 2-4 inter-Korean summit will have positive effect on the six-party talks,'' he said. ``And if there is progress in the six-party talks, the declaration will be possible earlier than expected.''
Roh added the declaration ending the Korean War will promote North Korea's denuclearization and implementation of agreements among the six countries _ China, Russia, Japan, the United States and the two Koreas.
Roh downplayed the anxiety among some critics and conservatives that the government is making ``needless'' investment in the North as the cost for unification.
``Like investments in Vietnam and China, investing in North Korea is putting money into a market,'' he said. ``It will also be beneficial for the South's economy.''
He said the 1.3 trillion won inter-Korean cooperation fund was less than 1 percent of the 199 trillion won national budget.
kys@koreatimes.co.kr
