Obama pledges to reduce nuclear arsenal

U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday vowed to pursue further strategic arms reductions with Russia as part of his broader nuclear disarmament agenda even as he issued stern warnings to North Korea and Iran in their nuclear standoffs with the West.

Speaking ahead of a global nuclear security summit in Seoul, Obama implored North Korea’s leaders “to have the courage to pursue peace” while warning of the wrath of the world if they don't. Failure, he said, would mean a future without dignity, respect or hope for its people.

Obama also reiterated his warning to Iran, which the U.S. and its allies contend is defying its international obligations by pursuing an illicit nuclear program. Obama said he would discuss Iran in meetings later in the day with the leaders of Russia and China.

In his speech, Obama held out the prospect of new cuts in the U.S. nuclear arsenal as he sought to rally world leaders for additional concrete steps against the threat of nuclear terrorism.