Lee: S. Korea closer to unification with N. Korea

President Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday he believes that South Korea has come closer to unification with North Korea and the event would come unexpectedly, stressing the importance of preparing for the possibility. "Unification would not come as we expect. It could come unexpectedly early, or it could come much later" than expected, Lee said at a meeting with members of the National Unification Advisory Council. "What is sure is that it will come definitely." Lee also said inter-Korean unification would come like "a thief in the middle of the night," underscoring the unexpected nature of the event. "We have to always be prepared for it," he said.