Lee, Obama say N. Korean threats will be met by sanctions

(ATTN: UPDATES with additional remarks, more details)
By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, June 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S.
President Barack Obama strongly urged North Korea to immediately halt its
provocative actions, saying threats and belligerent behavior will only result in
serious consequences.

The leaders said a peaceful coexistence is still an option for the communist
North, but that it can only be obtained through peaceful negotiations.
"I want to be clear that there is another path available for North Korea. A path
that will lead to peace and prosperity," the U.S. president said in a joint press
conference with Lee shortly after their summit talks at the White House.
"That destination can only be reached through peaceful negotiation and
denuclearization," Obama said.
The South Korean president said North Korea must understand that "they will not
be able to gain compensation by creating crisis."
"President Obama and I urge the North Koreans to fully give up their nuclear
ambitions and become a responsible member of the international community," he
added. The South Korean head of state arrived here Monday on a three-day official
visit.
Tuesday's meeting between Lee and Obama came as Pyongyang is threatening to
reinforce its nuclear arsenal and continue with its provocative nuclear and
ballistic missile tests despite a U.N. Security Council resolution that condemned
its May 25 nuclear test detonation and prohibited any future tests by the
communist state.
Obama said Seoul, Washington and the rest of the world will begin "serious
enforcement" of sanctions already placed on the North by U.N. Security Council
resolutions if Pyongyang continues to be provocative and belligerent.
"I want to emphasize something President Lee said, that there has been a pattern
in the past where North Korea behaves in a belligerent fashion and, if it waits
long enough, it is rewarded. I think that is the pattern they have come to
expect. The message we are sending them is that we are going to break that
pattern," the U.S. president said.
The South Korean president hinted that Seoul could become the first to break the
pattern, noting that his country could be forced to shut down a joint industrial
complex in North Korea if the communist nation continues what he called
"unacceptable" demands for wage increases and fees.
"We urge North Korea not to make any unacceptable demands because we really do
not know what will happen if they keep on this path," Lee told the press
conference, adding that more than 40,000 North Koreans currently working for
South Korean firms will also lose jobs if the industrial park closes.
Lee called for close cooperation between Seoul and Washington in dealing with
Pyongyang, saying a firm alliance between the two will make North Korea think
twice before taking any steps it might regret.
Tuesday's meeting also focused on economic cooperation as Seoul and Washington
try to move forward with ratification of a free trade agreement sealed nearly two
years ago.
Obama said the countries will work to find solutions acceptable to both the U.S.
and South Korea.
"What I have done was to affirm to President Lee that we want to work with Korea
to resolve the issues that are preventing free trade. I want to make sure that we
have an agreement that I feel confident that it is good for the American,
President Lee feels confident that it is good for the Koreans," he said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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