BEIJING (AP) – President Barack Obama says concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program didn’t come up during negotiations for the release of two Americans.
North Korea released two American detainees Saturday after Obama’s national intelligence director, James Clapper, flew to Pyongyang to secure their release. Obama says he didn’t gain any new insight into North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (kim jawng oon) or his approach to the U.S. during the negotiations.
Obama says the United States will be open to nuclear talks with North Korea if its leaders show they’re serious about addressing the issue. He says until then, North Korea’s nuclear program will be a core problem for the U.S. and a top security priority.
Obama spoke Monday in Beijing after meeting with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.