U.S. President Barack Obama has warned North Korea that it will "achieve nothing by threats or by provocations" related to its nuclear and missile programs.
Obama added that Pyongyang needs "to understand that bad behavior will not be rewarded."
"There had been a pattern for decades in which North Korea thought that if they acted provocatively then somehow they would be bribed into ceasing and desisting acting provocatively," he said.
Obama's warning comes as North Korea prepares to launch a long-range missile which Pyongyang says will put a satellite in orbit.
The launch will contravene an agreement Pyongyang reached last month which would have seen it receive food aid in exchange for a partial freeze on nuclear activities and an end to ballistics tests.
Obama was speaking in Seoul ahead of global nuclear security talks at an international summit in Seoul.
More than 50 world leaders are expected to attend the gathering on March 26 and March 27.
Earlier on March 25, Obama visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea.
Obama added that Pyongyang needs "to understand that bad behavior will not be rewarded."
"There had been a pattern for decades in which North Korea thought that if they acted provocatively then somehow they would be bribed into ceasing and desisting acting provocatively," he said.
Obama's warning comes as North Korea prepares to launch a long-range missile which Pyongyang says will put a satellite in orbit.
The launch will contravene an agreement Pyongyang reached last month which would have seen it receive food aid in exchange for a partial freeze on nuclear activities and an end to ballistics tests.
Obama was speaking in Seoul ahead of global nuclear security talks at an international summit in Seoul.
More than 50 world leaders are expected to attend the gathering on March 26 and March 27.
Earlier on March 25, Obama visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea.