Obama calls S. Korean president on Kim's death

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama called South Korean President Lee Myung-bak following the death of Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), reaffirming U.S. strong commitment to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the security of South Korea, the White House said in a statement on Monday.