Yes, I don't believe that the inter-Korean relationship has, quote, 'deteriorated' since I assumed office. Rather I believe that the relationship between the two Koreas is entering into a new phase - a time of transition. And so I think that the North Koreans are trying to see what they can build with this, with my new administration.

He is married to Kim Yoon-ok and has three daughters and one son. He promised to seek a Korean Economic Community agreement to establish the legal and systemic framework for any projects emerging from the negotiations. S.

He ended his five-year term on February 25 2013 and was succeeded by Park Geun-hye. His older brother is Lee Sang-deuk a South Korean politician. Lee altered the South Korean government's approach to North Korea preferring a more hardline strategy in the wake of increased provocation from the North though he was supportive of regional dialogue with Russia China and Japan.