Obama to North Korea: Return to nuclear talks
Barack Obama is heading back to the US today
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Chinese president Hu Jintao and his US counterpart Barack Obama have pledged to work together to tackle a range of issues from climate change to nuclear proliferation. |  |
Thursday, 19, Nov 2009 10:21
By Richard James.
Barack Obama has urged North Korea to end its recent aggressive military campaign and return to nuclear disarmament talks.
The US president met with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, on Thursday, on the last day of his whirlwind tour of Asia.
During his trip to Seoul, Mr Obama called on Pyongyang to return to the stalled six-party talks involving China, Russia, Japan, the US and both Koreas.
Speaking at a press conference with Mr Lee, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said: "The thing I want to emphasise is that President Lee and I both agree we want to break the pattern that existed in the past, in which North Korea behaves in a provocative fashion, and then is willing to return to talk... and then that leads to seeking further concessions.
"Our message is clear. If North Korea is prepared to talk concrete and irreversible steps to fulfil its obligations and eliminate its nuclear weapons programme, the United States will support economic assistance and help promote its full integration into the international community.
"That opportunity and respect will not come with threats. North Korea must live up to its obligations."
Mr Obama also announced he would be sending special envoy Stephen Bosworth to Pyongyang next month for talks.
Addressing reporters on Thursday Mr Lee also promised economic aid to its northern neighbour if it abandoned its nuclear programme.
"I hope that by accepting our proposal, the North will secure safety for itself, improve the quality of life for its people, and open the path to a new future," he said.
Pyongyang has provoked fierce criticism this year following a series of short-range missile launches and an underground nuclear test.
Mr Obama is due to return to the US later today. His trip has seen him visit Japan, Singapore and China in a bid to improve relations between America and the Asian nations.