S Korea says inter-Korean summit possible despite shelling

South Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak has expressed willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il,despite this week's shelling by the communist state which raised tensions on the peninsula.

South Korea’s President Lee Myung-Bak has expressed willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il,despite this week’s shelling by the communist state which raised tensions on the peninsula.

“I’m always ready to meet with Chairman Kim Jong-Il,” Lee said in an interview with the BBC yesterday in Davos,where he attended an economic forum.

His office released a transcript today.

“However,if we meet,we have to engage in fruitful dialogue and hold enough discussions on the North Korean nuclear issue,” Lee said.

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“When we get into a situation where (such a summit) may be helpful for peace on the Korean peninsula and the settlement of the nuclear issue,there is no reason why I can’t meet him,even within this year.”

North Korea yesterday staged a second day of live-fire artillery exercises near its tense sea border with South Korea,ignoring criticism from Seoul and Washington.

Seoul’s military reported no shelling today as of mid-morning.

But Yonhap news agency said the North was carrying out ground,sea and air military exercises.

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The agency,quoting a military source,said air force jet fighters were staging a combat exercise. South Korean aircraft — in their customary response — scrambled in a counter-manoeuvre.