Updated on
Summary
The US President has told North Korea it must show a seriousness of purpose before talks aimed at curbing the country's drive to become a nuclear power can be resumed. Barack Obama was speaking in a joint news conference with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak at the G20 summit in Seoul. He said the US remained committed to defending South Korea and condemned North Korea for continuing on a path of confrontation and provocation. He added that continuing to press head with nuclear plans would deepen North Korea's isolation from the world and worsen the poverty of its people. Obama said at the news conference with Mr Lee that the world would be ready to assist North Korea if it takes the steps necessary for talks to resume, including setting an irreversible path toward ending its nuclear programme. Mr Obama also pledged that the G20 nations will reach a consensus on how to achieve balanced, sustainable economic growth. He defended US steps to climb out of its deep recession as prudent and stable.
