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South Korean leader voices concerns on Pyongyang

President Park Geun-hye of South Korea joined President Obama at the White House on Tuesday. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Projecting a united front, President Obama and South Korea’s new leader warned North Korea on Tuesday against further nuclear provocations, with Obama declaring that the days when Pyongyang could “create a crisis and elicit concessions” were over.

Obama also disputed the notion that his cautious response to reported chemical weapons use in Syria — a move he had said would cross a “red line” — could embolden North Korea’s unpredictable young leader and other US foes.

“Whether it’s bin Laden or Khadafy, if we say we’re taking a position, I would think at this point the international community has a pretty good sense that we typically follow through on our commitments,” Obama said, referring to the Al Qaeda commander Osama bin Laden and former Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy, both of whom were killed during Obama’s watch.

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Tuesday’s meetings between Obama and President Park Geun-hye of South Korea followed months of increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea conducted an underground atomic test in February and had appeared ready for another. New US intelligence assessments also showed for the first time that North Korea might have the know-how to launch a nuclear-armed missile.

Ahead of Tuesday’s talks, the North appeared to send mixed messages. US officials said Pyongyang removed from a launch pad a set of medium-range ballistic missiles that had been readied for possible test-firing. But North Korea also warned the United States and South Korea that it would retaliate if joint military exercise between the two allies resulted in any shells landing on its territory.

Speaking at the White House, Obama and Park warned Pyongyang of unspecified consequences if it pressed ahead with provocative actions, with Obama vowing to protect the United States and its allies using both “conventional and nuclear forces.”

Still, in keeping with their countries’ longstanding policies, the two leaders left open the possibility of direct negotiations should the North signal its readiness to end its nuclear pursuits or take other meaningful actions.

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“Should North Korea choose the path to becoming a responsible member of the community of nations, we are willing to provide assistance, together with the international community,” Park said.