Lee says no hostility toward N. Korea

SEOUL, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- South Korea has no hostility toward North Korea, the South Korean president said Thursday, apparently to ensure Seoul's intentions are not misinterpreted.

Addressing both his ruling party and opposition leaders, President Lee Myung-bak said early stabilization of the situation in North Korea following the death Kim Jong Il would be in the interests of neighboring countries, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"The measures we have taken so far are basically aimed at showing North Korea we are not hostile toward the North," Lee was quoted as saying by a senior presidential secretary.

"North Korea must not have thought we would come this far. Front-line troops are maintaining low levels of vigilance and I believe an early stabilization of North Korea's system is in the interests of neighboring countries," Yonhap reported.

The South, while not sending an official delegation to the North, said it would allow a limited number of private groups to send delegations to the North if desired.

South Korea also dropped plans to illuminate three huge Christmas tree structures along its border with the North, which in the past has been denounced by Pyongyang as part of the South's psychological warfare.

South Korea, however, remains concerned as Kim's death could lead to a power struggle and instability in the North which has a huge military and a nuclear weapons program.

However, the change there also would offer a chance to Seoul to mend its deeply strained relations with Pyongyang, the report said.