S. Korea welcomes Obama-N. Korea meeting

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak says he would welcome a meeting between U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and North Korea once Obama takes office.

Lee, in Washington for a summit on the global financial crisis, said he spoke with Obama after the U.S. presidential election and Obama pledged to consult with South Korea before taking any major action in North Korea, CNN reported.

While campaigning for the presidency, Obama said he would meet without preconditions with leaders of several nations whose governments not friendly toward the United States, including North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong Il.

Lee told CNN he has high expectations for Obama, calling him "the right leader at the right time."