President Lee Myung-bak says he will be ready to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il whenever it is possible.

In an interview with CNN that aired on Saturday, Lee said he believes he and Kim are capable of meeting together to have a dialogue, heart-to-heart, that is very open and forthcoming.

Asked to comment on reports that since Lee took office, inter-Korean relations have “deteriorated,” as described by CNN, the president said he did not think so. He said that, actually, the relationship between the two Koreas is entering into a new phase, or a time of transition.

On prospects of reunification, Lee said it will take some time for the two Koreas to be unified again, and that, therefore, until that happens it is important that the two sides work to maintain peace and stability.

Lee added that, through his summit meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, he hopes to restore the traditional alliance between Korea and the United States and to upgrade this relationship so that it becomes more comprehensive and future-oriented.

CNN interviewed Lee at the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae last Tuesday before the president left for the United States.