Obama: North Korea must pursue peace

SEOUL, South Korea -- In a direct challenge to North Korean leaders, President Barack Obama implored them "to have the courage to pursue peace" while warning of the wrath of the world if they don't. Failure, he said, would mean a future without dignity, respect or hope for its people.

Obama stood by his pledge for a globe without nuclear weapons, declaring flatly that the United States has more than it needs and can cut its arsenal without weakening its security or that of its allies. That assessment put him on a collision course with congressional Republicans who say any significant cuts would undermine the U.S. ability to deter aggression.

Obama and nearly 60 world leaders are in Seoul for an international nuclear security summit. Obama said North Korea needs to change its ways because its current course will lead to "more broken dreams" and "more isolation." His remarks came a day after he visited the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.

The nuclear summit unfolded amid tensions in the Korean peninsula. North Korea has said a planned launch of a long-range rocket next month is a way to deliver a satellite into orbit. But other nations, including the United States and South Korea, believe it's an effort by nuclear-equipped North Korea to test its long-range missile capability.

Sunday, Seoul warned it might shoot down the North Korean rocket if it violates South Korean territory.

Speaking at Hankuk University, Obama reiterated his warning to Iran, which the U.S. and its allies say is defying its international obligations by pursuing an illicit nuclear program. Obama said he would discuss Iran in meetings later today with Russian and Chinese leaders.

Obama said the U.S. was moving forward with Russia to eliminate enough plutonium for about 17,000 nuclear weapons and turn it into electricity. And he heralded an agreement with Russia to reduce nuclear arsenals under the New START treaty.