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Asia tour: Obama in Seoul amid nuclear test fears Asia tour: Obama in Seoul amid nuclear test fears
(about 7 hours later)
US President Barack Obama is in Seoul for a visit that comes amid concern that North Korea may be planning a fourth nuclear test. US President Barack Obama said America stood "shoulder to shoulder" with South Korea over North Korean provocation, as he continued his Asia tour.
Mr Obama, who arrived from Japan on the second stop of his Asian tour, will hold talks with South Korean leader Park Geun-hye. Mr Obama, who arrived from Japan, spoke after holding talks with South Korean leader Park Geun-hye.
Their talks are set to focus on North Korea, following reports of activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. His visit comes amid concerns North Korea could be planning to conduct a fourth nuclear test, following reports of activity at its nuclear test site.
Mr Obama is also expected to express grief over last week's ferry disaster. Mr Obama also expressed his condolences over last week's ferry disaster.
More than 300 people were killed or remain missing after the Sewol passenger ferry sank off South Korea, in a tragedy that has shocked the nation. More than 300 people were killed or remain missing after the Sewol passenger ferry sank off South Korea, in a tragedy that has shocked the nation. Most of those who died were teenagers on a school trip.
Most of those who died were teenagers on a school trip. "I am a father of two daughters close to the same age of those who were lost. I can only imagine what those parents are going through," he said.
'Two test tunnels' He had brought with him a magnolia tree from White House, which he said he was presenting to the students' high school to commemorate "the beautiful lives lost".
Mr Obama is expected to hold talks with Ms Park, visit US troops and then fly to Malaysia on Saturday. 'Significant problem'
Speaking in Japan, he called the North Korean problem "the most destabilising, dangerous situation in all of the Asia-Pacific region", and described China's role in influencing Pyongyang as "critically important". As well as talks with Ms Park, Mr Obama will visit US troops and then fly to Malaysia on Saturday.
Before he touched down in Seoul, he called the North Korean problem "the most destabilising, dangerous situation in all of the Asia-Pacific region".
Earlier this week, South Korea's military said it had detected "a lot of activity" at the North's nuclear test site, suggesting it was either planning a test or would pretend to stage one.Earlier this week, South Korea's military said it had detected "a lot of activity" at the North's nuclear test site, suggesting it was either planning a test or would pretend to stage one.
North Korea has carried out three such tests in the past, most recently in February 2013 - an incident that triggered months of severe tension on the Korean peninsula.
It also carried out tests in 2006 and 2009. All resulted in the imposition of sanctions by the UN, which bars Pyongyang from nuclear tests under resolution 1718.
A report from 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University, also confirmed increased activity at the site "probably related to preparations for a detonation", based on satellite imagery.A report from 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University, also confirmed increased activity at the site "probably related to preparations for a detonation", based on satellite imagery.
The document highlighted "increased movement of vehicles and materials near what are believed to be the entrances to two completed test tunnels". North Korea has carried out three such tests in the past, most recently in February 2013.
All resulted in the imposition of sanctions by the UN, which bars Pyongyang from nuclear tests under resolution 1718.
Speaking in Seoul, Mr Obama said provocations by Pyongyang would only lead to further isolation.
"The US and South Korea stand shoulder to shoulder, both in face of Pyongyang's provocations and our refusal to accept a nuclear North Korea."
He said both he was encouraged that Beijing - believed to have the most influence on Pyongyang - was beginning to recognise that North Korea was "not just a nuisance but a significant problem to their own security".
And he said that in in light of "what we expect to be further provocations" in the form of missile or nuclear tests, he and Ms Park had agreed to look for additional ways to apply pressure on Pyongyang.
While Pyongyang has tested devices, it is not yet believed to have mastered the process of making a nuclear warhead small enough to deliver via a missile.While Pyongyang has tested devices, it is not yet believed to have mastered the process of making a nuclear warhead small enough to deliver via a missile.
China is regarded as the nation with the best chance of influencing North Korea's behaviour, because of their trade ties.
"We will not allow war and chaos on China's doorstep," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Thursday.
"In the meantime, we have consistently and proactively advocated dialogue and negotiation."
'Inherent territory'
Also on Mr Obama's agenda will be Seoul's ties with Japan. The US wants its two main Asian allies to work together to tackle North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
But rows over disputed islands and unresolved historical tensions have severely strained the Tokyo-Seoul relationship.
Last month, the US brokered a meeting between Ms Park and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a bid to put things back on track.
In Japan, Mr Obama issued a firm statement of support over Tokyo's dispute over a separate set of islands with China.
Standing next to the Japanese leader, he confirmed that the US-Japan security treaty did cover the disputed East China Sea island chain - meaning that if Japan were to be attacked, the US would come to its aid.
China said it opposed the US stance.
"No matter what other people say and do, they can't change the fundamental fact that the Diaoyu islands (called Senkaku in Japan) are part of China's inherent territory," said spokesman Qin Gang.