President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Monday warned North Korea that its pursuit of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles would only further isolate the communist nation from the outside world.
“The more you engage in provocative acts, the more isolated you will become,” Obama said at a joint press conference with Noda.
He said Pyongyang is operating from a position of weakness and that North Korea’s “old pattern of provocation,” in which it threatens aggressive action, like its recent failed attempt to launch a long-range missile, and then demands attention and concessions from other nations to stop, is over.
“That pattern is broken,” said Obama, who suggested that international sanctions against North Korea could be increased.
“The United States, Japan, South Korea, other countries in the region, are unified in insisting that [North Korea] abide by its responsibilities, abide by international norms,” Obama said. North Korea “will not be able to purchase anything from future provocative acts.”
The U.S. and its allies bristled at North Korea’s recent attempted rocket launch, which many believed was actually a test of long-range missile technology in violation of a United Nations agreement.
North Korea said the rocket, which crashed shortly after being launched, was intended only to fly a satellite into orbit to mark the 100 anniversary of President Kim Il Sung’s birth.
But Obama, Noda and other world leaders dismissed the satellite story as a lie and the U.S. suspended a program that provided food to North Korea as a result of the launch.
Noda said North Korea’s actions are undermining the region’s efforts to achieve peace and that there is a “great possibility” North Korea will conduct another test.
“I believe the international community as a whole, together, will need to call for restraint,” Noda said through a translator.
China, North Korea’s closest ally, will have to help convince North Korea to restrain its nuclear ambitions, he said.
Obama declined to answer questions Monday regarding a Chinese dissident who escaped from house arrest and who is believed to be under the protection of the U.S. Embassy in China.
“Obviously, I’m aware of the press reports on the situation in China, but I’m not going to make a statement on the issues,” Obama said.
But Obama insisted that the U.S. remains an advocate for greater human rights in China as it pursues a relationship with that country.
“What I would like to emphasize is that every time we meet with China, the issue of human rights comes up,” he said. “It is our belief that not only is that the right thing to do because it comports with our principles and our belief in freedom and human rights, but also because we actually think China will be stronger as it opens up and liberalizes its own system.”
