By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak expressed the hope that Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan will recover from health problems as soon as possible.
Lee, a protestant, made the remarks during a meeting with Kim at a hospital in Seoul Thursday, after joining a church service.
Kim, 86, has been hospitalized since early July, suffering from infirmities associated with old age.
``I wish (for) you (to) get better to give the people trust and hope,'' the President was quoted as saying by his spokesman Lee Dong-kwan.
In response, the Cardinal said he was gaining strength and expressed gratitude for the visit.
Lee asked a doctor about the Cardinal's health condition and heard that Kim is getting better and speaks and eats well, the spokesman said.
President Lee, accompanied by first lady Kim Yun-ok, met with the Catholic leader for about 10 minutes.