Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- Returning from a trip to Pyongyang, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il ready for a summit with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak at any time. Carter did not personally meet with Kim, but he said that as he and his delegation of former heads of state were on the way to Pyongyang airport to depart for South Korea, they were summoned back to their guesthouse, where a senior official read out a written message from the reclusive leader. "Chairman Kim sent word that he is willing to negotiate with South Korea or United States ... on any subject at any time and without any preconditions," Carter told a news conference. "He specifically told us he is prepared for a summit directly with President Lee Myung-bak at any time to discuss issues between the two heads of state."
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The Elders visited the Korean Peninsula
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Kim Jong Il is "willing to negotiate"
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The declaration puts South Korea's Lee on the spot
In 2010, 50 South Koreans were killed in the two separate incidents: @placeholder accuses the North of torpedoing and sinking one of its warships in March 2010, killing 46 sailors.
"I think it is extremely important that we as @placeholder can recommend that there is, as early as possible, a resumption of dialogue on all outstanding issues," he said.