U.S. President Barack Obama secretly sent a personal letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in what was not the first instance when a U.S. president has written privately to Kim. U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush also sent similar letters to the North Korean leader. But the difference is that he kept it tight secret not only to his administration but also U.S. allies.

The existence of the letter "has been closely held," the Washington Post said Tuesday, "with the U.S. administration insisting to its partners in disarmament talks with North Korea that it not be publicly discussed."

A diplomatic source in Washington said few in the U.S. administration knew about it.

In the letter, Obama reportedly urged North Korea to implement denuclearization measures specified in the joint statement issued on Sept. 19, 2005 and return to the six-party nuclear talks. He also seems to have emphasized that Washington-Pyongyang relations can be normalized and there will be economic assistance provided the North completely dismantles its nuclear program.

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