The defense chiefs of South Korea and the US said the power succession in North Korea following the death of its leader Kim Jong-il has been stable so far.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin talked over the phone with US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to discuss the situation on the Korean peninsula after the death of Kim Jong-il.
During the roughly 20-minute call, they agreed to closely monitor the situation in the North Korea. They also shared the view that maintaining peace and stability in the Korean peninsula is important and agreed to manage the current situation stably through close cooperation between the two countries.
The telephone call came after the mourning period for Kim Jong-il came to an end on thursday with a massive memorial service. Kim Jong-il died from 'great mental and physical strain' on december 17 on a train. Kim's son Kim Jong-un, who is thought to be in his late 20s, has now taken over.