Obama's Blunt Words For Two Nuclear Powers

President Barack Obama has urged North Korea "to have the courage to pursue peace" while warning Iran that time is running out over its nuclear stand-off.

Speaking in Seoul, South Korea, ahead of a nuclear security summit, Mr Obama told leaders of North Korea that the US has no hostile intent towards them but they must give up their nuclear weapons.

"Today we say: Pyongyang, have the courage to pursue peace and give a better life to the people of North Korea," the President said.

"I want to speak directly to the leaders in Pyongyang. The United States has no hostile intent towards your country. We are committed to peace."

He said the internationally isolated country needs to change its ways because continuing down the same path will lead to "more broken dreams" and "more isolation."

Mr Obama went on to say that the international community has made progress in reducing the threat of nuclear material but says "we're under no illusions."

"Even as we have more work to do, we can already say with confidence that we have more nuclear weapons than we need," he said.

"I firmly believe that we can ensure the security of the United States and our allies, maintain a strong deterrent against any threat, and still pursue further reductions in our nuclear arsenal."

Mr Obama also warned Iran that time was running out to resolve the stand-off over its nuclear programme through diplomacy. Read More