Obama warns Pyongyang

ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION

U.S. President Barack Obama issued a stern warning to North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme on Monday (March 26), saying its provocations and pursuit of atomic weapons have undermined security.

In a speech at Seoul University ahead of a nuclear security summit in South Korea he said: "Here in Korea I want to speak directly to the leaders in Pyongyang. The United States has no hostile intent toward your country. We are committed to peace and we are prepared to take steps to improve relations, which is why we offered nutritional aid to North Korean mothers and children.

"But by now it should be clear your provocations and pursuit of nuclear weapons have not achieved the security you seek. They have undermined it. Instead of the dignity you desire, you are more isolated. Instead of earning the respect of the world, you have been met with strong sanctions and condemnation.

"You can continue down the road you are on but we know where that leads. It leads to more of the same - more broken dreams, more isolation, ever more distance between the people of North Korea and the dignity and the opportunity that they deserve.

And know this. There will be no rewards for provocations. Those days are over. To the leaders of Pyongyang I say this is the choice before you, this is the decision you must make. Today we say, Pyongyang, have the courage to pursue peace and give a better life to the people of North Korea."

Obama is one of more than 50 world leaders in South Korea, for a follow-up to the inaugural nuclear security summit he organised in Washington in 2010, to help tackle the threat of nuclear terrorism.