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S Korea's Lee says he's willing to meet North's Kim Jong-il

South Korea's conservative president-elect said yesterday he was willing to meet North Korea's reclusive leader and promised the communist state major economic assistance if it abandons its nuclear ambitions.

Lee Myung-bak, in a press conference setting out policy goals, also vowed to revive his own country's economy by wooing investment and cutting red tape, saying he believes 6 percent growth is possible this year.

The former construction CEO will be the country's first president from a business background but his transition is overshadowed by a criminal inquiry into fraud allegations.

He indicated he expects to be cleared of any wrongdoing.

Lee, who has promised a firmer line with the nuclear-armed North, said he is willing to meet its leader Kim Jong-il after taking office on Feb. 25.

SUMMIT IN THE SOUTH?

"The leaders of the two Koreas can meet any time they believe it will help North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons and will also help both Koreas," he said, adding that any future summit should be held in the South.

The previous two summits, in 2000 and last October, were held in Pyongyang. Lee said he would review sweeping economic joint projects announced last October.

"My new government will study the implementation of the agreements from the perspective of feasibility, fiscal burdens on the people and the national consensus," he said.

He offered the North major economic cooperation if it honors an international pledge to scrap its nuclear programs.

"If they sincerely fulfill the agreements reached at the six-party talks, we can advance the era of full-scale inter-Korean cooperation," Lee said.

He promised to strengthen Seoul's alliance with the US and said this would also help the North reconcile with Washington, its traditional enemy.

DEADLINE DISPUTE

The North missed a year-end deadline to disable its main atomic plants and declare all its nuclear programs under a six-nation pact, according to its negotiating partners.

Pyongyang says it declared its nuclear programs to the US in November, and accuses its partners of not keeping their side of the bargain.

Lee last month won the biggest victory margin in the country's democratic history with pledges to boost growth and create jobs through a business-friendly approach.

Victory came despite a parliamentary vote for an independent counsel to probe his alleged links to a 2001 share manipulation scandal.

State prosecutors had earlier cleared Lee of involvement.
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