US, allies seek to put pressure on North Korea at nuclear summit

Faced with a North Korean regime bent on developing a nuclear-armed long-range missile, President Obama will meet Thursday in Washington with several world leaders -- including those of China, Japan and South Korea -- in an effort to hammer out a "united" response.

In a Washington Post opinion piece, Obama called for the international community to “remain united in the face of North Korea’s continued provocations.”

“The additional sanctions recently imposed on Pyongyang by the United Nations Security Council show that violations have consequences,” Obama said.

North Korea launched a short-range projectile Tuesday, the latest in a series of short-range missile launches and artillery system tests from the dictatorship.

South Korean officials said it was not clear whether the test was a ballistic missile or an artillery shell, but officials told the Associated Press the test was likely in response to increased military drills from South Korea.

A North Korean nuclear test in January as well a long-range missile launch in February ramped up tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul, leading to larger military drills from South Korea.

At the summit, Obama is scheduled to meet with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean resident Park Geun-hye. Both U.S. allies share anxiety over neighboring North Korea.

Obama also will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Francois Holland.

Source: Fox