US President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda stressed Monday that they stand united in opposition to provocations by North Korea, following a failed rocket launch this month, DPA reported.
Obama said North Korea's actions, seen as part of a move to develop a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, were "a sign of weakness and not strength, and only serve to deepen Pyongyang's isolation."
"Pyongyang is very clear that the United States, Japan, South Korea, other countries in the region are unified in insisting that it abide by its responsibilities, abide by international norms, and that they will not be able to purchase anything from further provocative acts," he said during a White House press conference following meetings with Noda.
The Japanese leader noted that in the past North Korea had followed tests of missile technology with nuclear tests, and there was a "great possibility" they could do so again.
Noda said he believed the international community "all together will need to call for restraint" by North Korea.
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