Provocation from DPRK will deepen isolation: Obama

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama said on Monday, amid speculation that Pyongyang may soon conduct another nuclear test, that further provocation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will deepen its isolation from the international community.

US President Barack Obama smiles during a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (not in photo) in the East Room of the White House in Washington April 30, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

"The more you engage in provocative acts, the more isolated you will become, the stronger sanctions will be in place, the more isolated you will be diplomatically, politically and commercially," Obama said at a joint press conference with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, commenting on the DPRK issue.  

"What I've tried to do since I came into office is to make sure that North Koreans understand that the old pattern of provocation that then gets attention and somehow insists on the world purchasing good behavior from them -- that that pattern is over," he noted.

While refusing to make any prediction regarding the nuclear test, Obama urged Pyongyang to abide by its international responsibilities and international norms.

Noda, for his part, said that given its record in the past, there is a "great possibility" that the DPRK will conduct another nuclear test.

"I believe the international community all together will need to call for restraint on the part of DPRK," he said.

Last month, the DPRK announced its plan to launch in April an "earth observation" satellite, or the Kwangmyongsong-3, using a long-range rocket to mark the 100th birthday of its late leader Kim Il-Sung.

On April 13, the DPRK confirmed that the earth observation satellite launched earlier the day failed to enter orbit.