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WASHINGTON : South Korea's president said a strong US-South Korean alliance will deter any North Korean aggression.
Mr Lee Myung-bak was speaking at the White House after securing assurances that the South will continue to be under America's "nuclear umbrella".
President Lee was in Washington to reaffirm military ties with the United States during a tense period on the Korean peninsula.
President Lee said: "The North Koreans, when they look at the firm partnership and alliance that we have between our two countries, they will think twice about taking any measures that they will regret. And again, this very firm alliance that we have between the US and South Korea is going to prevent anything from happening.
"Of course, North Korea may wish to do so but they will not be able to do so."
Last week, the UN Security Council passed stricter sanctions against the North for conducting its latest nuclear test.
Sanctions will include checking export cargo for nuclear material. North Korea said it will retaliate if that happens.
"We meet at a time of great challenges. On the Korean peninsula, North Korea has abandoned its own commitments and violated international law. Its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes pose a grave threat to the peace and security of Asia and the world," said US President Barack Obama.
The two leaders agreed to continue working on an international response to put pressure on the North to abandon its nuclear programmes.
President Obama said: "There's been a pattern in the past where North Korea behaves in a belligerent fashion and if it waits long enough, it's then rewarded with food stuffs and fuel and concessionary loans and a whole range of benefits. I think that's the pattern that they've come to expect.
"The message we are sending, and when I say we, not just the United States and the Republic of Korea, but I think the international community is - we are going to break that pattern."
THE US president said he remains committed to a free trade deal with South Korea.
But he made it clear that there were still sensitive political hurdles to overcome - on American beef and Korean cars.
The two leaders also emphasized the importance of returning to the six-party talks structure. Along with China, Russia and Japan, President Lee said they would discuss "new measures and policies" to persuade North Korea to dismantle all its nuclear programmes. - CNA /ls
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