U.S. President Barack Obama says North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is healthy and in firm control of state affairs.

In an interview with CNN Sunday, Obama said that former U.S. President Bill Clinton's assessment was that Kim is healthy and in control. Obama was referring to Clinton's visit to Pyongyang early last month to win the release of two American journalists held there for illegal entry.

Obama also said Washington’s North Korea policy has been a success so far and that he’s satisfied with the cooperation from China and Russia in sanctioning North Korea for its nuclear and missile tests. He said the application of some of the toughest sanctions ever sought by the international community is having a definite impact.