North Korea/South Korea/US

Obama vows tough line on North Korea

Article published on the 2009-06-16 Latest update 2009-06-16 18:46 TU

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak and US counterpart Barack Obama at the White House on June 16, 2009.
(Photo: Reuters/Larry Downing)

US President Barack Obama promised on Tuesday to “vigorously” pursue North Korea with a view to it ending its nuclear weapons programme. Obama was speaking after holding talks with South Korean leader Lee Myung-Bak at the White House. Tensions have risen in the Korean peninsula in recent weeks after North Korea tested a nuclear bomb and test-fired several other missiles late last month.

"We have reaffirmed the endurance of our alliance and America's commitment to the defence of the Republic of Korea," Obama said after meeting Lee. "We will pursue denuclearization on the Korean peninsula vigorously.”

Obama said North Korea's development of weaponry presented "a grave threat" to peace and security in the world. He said the United States was planning the “serious enforcement” of sanctions against North Korea following last week’s decision by the UN Security Council to approve a tighter arms embargo on the country.

Despite the decision, North Korea said on Saturday that it would start enriching uranium and making more nuclear weapons. It is also feared that it might soon conduct a third nuclear test.

Lee said he was reassured by what Obama had said. "This has given the South Korean people a greater sense of security," he said. "We agreed that under no circumstance are we going to allow North Korea to possess nuclear weapons.”

Meanwhile, North Korea’s state news agency has reported that two female US journalists charged with entering the country illegally had “accepted” their 12-year hard labour sentences. It said the two women had admitted gathering footage for a “smear campaign” about the country.