US defense chief

President Lee Myung-bak (right) holds talks with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the presidential office in Seoul Friday. President Lee said, “North Korea is set to announce its intent to become a `great and powerful nation` in April,” adding, “Because this year will be a critical time in addressing inter-Korean issues, (South) Korea and the U.S. should closely cooperate and make all-out efforts to resolve the North Korea problem.”