The US and South Korea have affirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwan-jin on Thursday discussed on the phone the situation on the Korean peninsula and the power succession in North Korea after the death of leader Kim Jong-Il. The two also shared the view that power succession has been smooth and agreed to closely watch developments in North Korea.

On the same day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted a resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Council, who conferred the late leader Kim Jong-Il the title "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" as the wish of the entire Korean people.